- Shamrock comes from the Irish Gaelic word Seamrog meaning “little clover”.
- The word shamrock refers to multiple species of three-leafed plants.
- The most common species marketed as shamrocks are the white clover and the wood sorrel (oxalis).
- Because of its ease of cultivation, indoors and out, oxalis is the plant most often labeled and sold as a shamrock during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period, in the United States.
- In Ireland, the plant most often referred to as shamrock is the white clover.
- Shamrocks that have four leaves are rare an are the traditional “lucky charms”.
- There is only one mutation of the four-leaf clover for every 10,000 clovers.
- Patrick used the three-leaf clover to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish during the 5th Century.
- Because of their creeping design, Shamrocks (clovers) can cover grounds easily and quickly.
- In an uncontrolled environment, Shamrocks are considered weeds!
May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
-An Irish Toast
