Wood sorrel looks very similar to clover, though the plants are not related. Patrick’s Day.”Īs mentioned, “shamrock” can also refer to a plant called common wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella). Wood sorrel is shipped from Ireland to other countries in great quantity for St. dubium), and black medic (Medicago lupulina). Plants called shamrock include the wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) of the family Oxalidaceae, or any of various plants of the pea family (Fabaceae), including white clover (Trifolium repens), suckling clover (T. “ Shamrock any of several similar-appearing trifoliate plants-i.e., plants each of whose leaves is divided into three leaflets. Both clovers are native to Europe, but can be found throughout the world today. Their genus name, Trifolium, means “having three leaves”-an appropriate description! White clover is thought to be one of the “true” shamrock plants.Īccording to Encyclopedia Britannica, a number of other similar-looking plants go by the name “shamrock”: In Ireland, the plants that are most often associated with the name “shamrock” are the suckling clover (Trifolium dubium)and the white clover (Trifolium repens). In fact, there are a few plants that go by this nickname! The word “shamrock” comes from the Irish word Seamróg, meaning “little clover” or “young clover,” but there isn’t a consensus on which species of clover is the “true” shamrock. More recently, the four-leaf clover has also come to represent the Holy Trinity, with the fourth leaf symbolizing God’s Grace. Patrick used a three-leaf shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, with one leaf representing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, respectively. Why three leaves and not four? According to legend, St. Sometimes, the shamrock is depicted as a four-leaf clover, but this isn’t quite accurate. Traditionally, a shamrock is a three-leaf clover. Patrick’s Day decor, representing the rebirth of spring. The shamrock is a symbol that we commonly associate with St.

I am a leaf on the wind svg