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Shamrocks

St. Patrick's Day, it's a day for the wearin' of the green - a time we celebrate Irish heritage. Shamrocks -- the lowly three leaf clover type plant is a standard symbol for this holiday, and they are around in abundance right now-from plants to the symbol on flags, ties, and clothing of all sorts. But just what is a shamrock? Shamrock is a common name given to a variety of three leafed plants. So will the real shamrock please stand up!

The word shamrock comes from the Irish word 'seamrog', meaning little clover. And while many authorities claim the true official shamrock is the white clover -- Trifolium repens, the plant commonly sold in the United States for a shamrock is actually an oxalis -- Oxalis regnellii, and the plant supposedly used in the legend of Saint Patrick was the hops clover. The one thing they all have in common is they have three leaves.

History has it that Saint Patrick was out spreading the gospel. To teach a point, he picked a lowly hop clover to illustrate the holy Trinity. But most people credit the white clover as the official shamrock. The "shamrock" was originally chosen as the national emblem of Ireland. It has long been considered a symbol of good luck, and this superstition has persisted into modern times. Yet the plant is usually considered a clover.

Clovers or trefoils, are in the genus- Trifolium which means three leaves. There are more than 250 species of clovers, all are members of the pea family. The clovers considered shamrocks, usually consist of small round lobed leaves. The white clover is actually native to the United States. It is a true perennial and has white flowers, and occasionally a 4-leafed clover. Crimson clover -- Trifolium incarnatum is the annual clover commonly planted in the medians of the highway. It also has rounded lobed leaves with deep red blooms. Clovers are often considered a lawn weed-and people often work at eradicating them from their yards.

The gift plant sold as a shamrock for St. Patrick's Day is either the green or red leafed oxalis-Oxalis regnellii. It is native to South America, and is actually a bulbous plant. Instead of the small rounded leaves, these plants have triangular leaflets in bright green or bold reddish purple. The flower color will vary from white to pink. Plants exhibit day/night movements in which the leaflets fold up at night and are open during the day. They are usually purchased as plants, but can also be grown by bulbs.

If you purchase a "shamrock" oxalis, give it bright indirect light, and let it dry slightly between watering. Eventually they will begin to lose leaves and appear to be dying. These bulbous shamrocks need a dormancy period, and will often die down to rest. When this happens, allow the leaves to die back, cut them off and allow the plants to rest for about a month. Then gradually apply a little water until you see the plants re-sprouting leaves.

You can move these plants outside for the summer, but not all species are winter hardy. The red leafed varieties will usually not overwinter. The common Oxalis is a member of the Wood Sorrel family of plants (Oxalidaceae) which contains over 300 species. Most of the species

grow from small bulbs but some are produced from tuberous roots and others arise form creeping root stalks. Most Oxalis have three, sour-tasting, rounded, green leaves which grow at the end of delicate stems. Some Oxalis, however, have triangular-shaped leaves or leaves with various tinges of purple or brown. Whatever the number or whatever their color and shape, most Oxalis plants fold their leaves up at night, hugging them tight to the stems until the next day.

Shamrocks and St. Patrick's day go hand in hand. While most authorities will agree, the real shamrock is a three leafed clover-which species will vary by whom you ask. Clovers are not a great houseplant, and won't last long, so a replacement three leafed plant is standing in-the oxalis. Whether you are Irish or not, get a "shamrock" oxalis, and you can enjoy it long after this day is past.

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