What's the difference between a shamrock and a four leaf clover?

Many people do not realize the difference between a 'four leaf clover' and a shamrock. A four leaf clover is a lucky charm or sign of good luck. The shamrock has a strong significance to the Irish because St. Patrick is said to have used its three leaves to explain the Holy Trinity.

What's the difference between a shamrock and a four leaf clover?
A shamrock is a common name for a clover or any of several plants belonging to the genus Trifolium -- meaning "having three leaves."





For an entertaining explanation of the differences -- and the derivation of the word "shamrock" -- see this Ask Yahoo! response to your question:


http://ask.yahoo.com/ask/20040317.html
Reply:Shamrock is just another term for clover. It can have three leaves or (very rarely) four leaves.
Reply:Long associated with St. Patrick’s Day, the shamrock is not actually a species of plant, but can best be described as a clover-like plant with leaves made up of 3 leaflets. There are at least 4 species that go by the common name Irish Shamrock:





1. Oxalis Acetosella: also known as the European Wood Sorrel, this early spring blooming perennial has solitary white flowers with purple veins.





2. Trifolium repens minus: also known as White Clover and Hop Clover, this small perennial has rose colored flowers found in a globe-shaped head.





3. Trifolium procumbens: also known as Small Hop Clover and Yellow Clover, this perennial has yellow flowers in clusters of 3 to 15.





4. Medicago lupulina: also known as Black Medic, Hop Clover, and Yellow Trefoil, this annual has small yellow flowers.

elaine