Don’t Confuse a Shamrock for a Four-Leaf Clover

Do you know the difference in a shamrock and a four leaf clover? A shamrock is a three leafed clover, the registered trademark of the Government of Ireland.  A four leaf clover is a variation of the three leafed clover and sources report there are approximately 10,000 three leaf clovers for every one four-leaf clover found.

Legend has it that good luck will come to those who happen to find a four leaf clover, as the four leaves are said to represent God’s grace. Each leaf of a four leaf clover symbolizes something special. One leaf is for faith; the second is for hope; the third for love; and the fourth is for luck. Shamrocks have a different story. Irish legends tell of the missionary, St. Patrick, who demonstrated the principle of the Trinity using a shamrock. One leaf of the clover was said to represent the Father, one the Son and one the Holy Spirit.

Would you believe people try to sell four leaf clovers that are not genuine? So how do you identify a true four leaf clover? Typically on true four leaf clovers one leaf will appear smaller than the other three.  Oxalis Deppei is often sold as a “good luck” plant, as it always bears leaves with four leaflets, however these plants are not true clovers but rather look-a-likes.

You can't buy four leaf clover seeds to plant, they just show up randomly in the fields of regular shamrocks, however if you are lucky maybe you will find one on your own this St. Patrick's Day.