What is the difference between a shamrock and a 4-leaf clover?
The shamrock is a three-leaved clover, Trifolium repens. According to what the Oxford English Dictionary calls “a late tradition”, the plant was used by Saint Patrick to illustrate the doctrine of the Trinity. It has subsequently become a national symbol of Ireland. The word comes from seamróg, the Irish name for the plant. A four leaf clover refers to an aberration of a three leaf clover plant, the Trifolium repens or “white clover.” The white clover is a deep green flowering vine with white blossoms. It is the original shamrock plant of Ireland and the unofficial state symbol. The shamrock already has powe
