What Sort of Plant Was the Shamrock?
Wood sorrel, Oxalis acetosella, is one of several plants nicknamed "shamrock." White clover, Trifolium repens and suckling clover, Trifolium dubium, may also be called shamrock plants. It's the shape of the shamrock -- three leaves arranged a top a short stem -- that matters. One plant, the shamrock pea (Parochetus communis) even bears the name shamrock. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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The shamrock is the unofficial symbol of St. Patrick's Day. Shamrocks are associated with St. Patrick's Day, a national holiday in Ireland celebrated all over the globe. One legend tells a story that St. Patrick, who Christianized Ireland, used a three-leaf shamrock plant to explain the Holy Trinity. The leaves represent the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. St. Patrick's Day is the anniversary of his death. It is believed that the plant he used was probably the white clover, Trifolium repens.
Cultivation
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Oxalis plants, which have the three leaves and characteristics of shamrocks, are easy to cultivate as house plants. Place Oxalis plants in a location where they will receive full sunlight, and they will bloom all winter long. Soil should be kept slightly moist. Optimal temperatures are 50 to 65 degrees F during the night. Daytime temperatures should not exceed 75 degrees F. Wood sorrel plants go dormant during the heat of summer. Oxalis plants may be green, red, purple or variegated. The plant's flowers are white, yellow, red or pink.
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Toxicity
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Oxalis app., also known as sorrel and shamrock plant, grows all through North and South America. Sorrel is grown both in gardens and indoors as a houseplant. When ingested, sorrel is toxic to cats, dogs and horses. All parts of the plant are toxic, but usually will not cause serious symptoms unless large amounts are ingested. Kidney failure and colic may result in severe cases of sorrel poisoning.
True Shamrock
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The Oxalis regnellii is named "shamrock plant," making it a "true" shamrock. The Oxalis regnelli grows bright green foliage and blooms small flowers in late winter and early spring. The leaves are triangular and grow in clusters of three atop the stems, in the traditional shamrock pattern. The shamrock plant is native to South America. Grow the plant in indirect sunlight and do not over water. The shamrock plant prefers slightly dry soil.
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References
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