Written by Ciaran Vipond on Feb 15, 2023 | 0 Comments
The word shamrock comes from seamróg, which means “little clover” or “young clover” in the Gaelic language. So Shamrock is clover yes…. but not ALL shamrock is clover. And not all clover is shamrock. Confused yet? Perhaps it is first best to start with how to spot a real shamrock.
How to spot a shamrock
- Shamrock is a plant that always has three leaflets in one leaf, never four. This is known as being a trifoliate plant. The story goes that this structure is why St. Patrick used it as an example of the holy trinity - three separate parts making one whole.
- Shamrock is typically green but it can have touches of white, yellow, or even purple
- Shamrock is the national flower of Ireland, even though it isn’t really a flower. So you are sure to spot it on national athletes' jerseys, flags, coins, lamp posts, the national airline, and many other places in Ireland besides.
- Shamrock can be one of many plants known as clover, but types of wood sorrel are also recognized by many in Ireland as shamrock too. And there is still no consensus over the precise species of plant that is the "true" shamrock. So best stick to the first 3 criteria for spotting shamrock
Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella), a trifoliate plant recognized by many in Ireland and abroad as a type of shamrock
Photo Credit: Peter O'Connor (CC BY-SA 2.0)
How to spot Clover?
- Clover is a plant that can have two, three, or four leaflets, in one leaf. Only the three-leaved variety is known as shamrock.
- Most people know clover as the “lucky” four-leafed variety. This variety is because of a rare mutation with only 1 in 10,000 with this four-leaf form - hence the association with luck.
- Clover typically grows in clumps in grasses and meadows. Bees love the nectar from this plant and you will see them buzzing around clumps of clover early in the season each spring.
A "lucky" white clover (Trifolium repens), with a rare mutation giving it four leaves rather than three.
Photo Credit: KEBman
So what is the difference?
There are a few distinctions, but the most important is the number of leaflets. Clover can have two, three or four leaflets. Shamrock always has three. Shamrock can be clover, but it can also be a type of wood sorrel. So perhaps not so tricky after all?
Want to know more?
Want to know more about the shamrock or St. Patrick, the patron saint who made it a symbol of Ireland? Have a look at our Ireland 101 series where we attempt to answer some big questions like:
Your own Shamrock to treasure
If all this talk of shamrock has made your head spin and you haven't got the greenest of fingers, you can have your own shamrock crafted from silver and gold to treasure forever with a piece from My Irish Jeweler.
Ciaran Vipond
My Irish Jeweler
Born in Co. Antrim and reared in Dublin, I was fascinated with Gaelic culture from an early age. I suppose it's not surprising given my mother inherited a grá for the Irish language from my grandfather, an Irish school headmaster. And that grá continues! My brother and sister are now Gaelic teachers here in Ireland, my niece is an award winning Irish dancer, and I proudly work to share Irish culture through our Irish and Celtic Jewelry at My Irish Jeweler!
I love researching and reading about the history of Irish design. It's at the core of what we do here at My Irish Jeweler. I find much of it so interesting that I have to share what I find. I hope you enjoy it!
