Shamrock is a type of small herb with leaves made up of three leaflets. It is the national symbol of Ireland. According to legend, Saint Patrick planted shamrock in Ireland because the three small leaflets represented the Holy Trinity. Many Irish people wear a shamrock on St. Patrick’s Day. The name shamrock comes from an Irish word that means trefoil (three-leafed).
In Ireland, the plant most often referred to as shamrock is the white clover. This plant has slender, creeping stems and white or pinkish-white flowers. Other plants that are sometimes referred to as shamrock include red clover and black medic. Florists often sell wood sorrel as shamrock. However, this plant is generally not considered the traditional shamrock.
