Shamrock conundrum

chite

Had thought the true shamrock is Lesser Trefoil, but other suggestions I've heard include: White Clover, Wood Sorrel, & Black Medick

Which do you reckon is it?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

There is no True Shamrock. Different Trifoils pass as shamrock in different parts of the country. The word just comes from "small plant". You could say there's no such thing as shamrock.

chite

Yeah seems to be the case alright. There are different accounts on was was used on the 17th back in the day by botantists and writers according to wildflowersofireland.net (in the case for Black Medick and White Clover), I guess people liked the shape of the wood sorrel leaves as the popular design of the shamrock you see everywhere looks to be based on the plant. Well at least they make good green manure.

recedite

I agree with lesser trefoil Trifolium dubium because it is the plant people buy/wear on the day in Ireland. I always thought it a bit disappointing when you look at it up close, because the leaves don't really look very "shamrocky".

As you say, the wood sorrel leaves are the most shamrocky shape. But the leaves are much larger and would just look wrong if you pinned a bunch of them on your lapel.

Apparently oxalis regnelli has become "the shamrock" in America. Probably because its a good compromise candidate, so looks the part, even up close. I wonder which one the taoiseach delivers to the White House every year? You'd probably have to give them the regnelli one if that's what they were used to seeing.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

The National Botanic Gardens carried out extensive surveys in 1893 and 1988 on what constituted Shamrock in various parts of the country. The results did not vary much over the almost 100 years. Their findings were that there is 'no true Shamrock species'


. 1893. 1988
Trifolium dubium. 51%. 46%
Trifolium repens. 34%. 35%
Trifolium pratense. 6%. 4%
Medicago lupulina 6%. 7%
Oxalis acetosella. 0% 3%
Various Trifolium spp., 3% 5%
Oxalis spp.