What possibly could be the choice for today — St. Patrick’s Day — if not the shamrock!

Of course, reasonable people disagree about the actual plant referred to as the shamrock. It could be the Trifolium repens (that’s the photo, at left) but Trifolium dubium, Medicago lupulina, Trifolium pratense and Oxalis are three popular rivals among three-leafed plants.

Note that the shamrock is NOT the four-leaf clover. According to Wikipedia, the shamrock is said to have been used by Saint Patrick in the Sixth Century to illustrate the Christian doctrine of the Trinity — which is why it must have exactly three leaves.

Since the 18th century, shamrock has been used as a symbol of Ireland in a similar way to how a rose is used for England, thistle for Scotland and leek for Wales.

(Photo by Supportstorm via WikiCommons)