Seamair Óg/Seamróg
Latin name: Trifolium repens
Did you know that there is actually no such plant as a shamrock?! The wildflower that is commonly called a shamrock in Ireland is in fact a white clover. The name comes from the Irish word 'seamair óg', shortened to 'seamróg', which means 'young clover'.
Flowers of the white clover shamrock
Flowers of the white clover shamrock
Flowers of the white clover shamrock
The shamrock is a perennial plant, and is widespread in grasslands and road verges. It is a very fragile little wildflower and doesn’t last long out of its natural habitat. When picked, it will wilt and dry out within a few hours.
In May, very soft looking, creamy-white flowers begin to appear that have a light sweet scent to attract insects. The insects help the flower to pollinate. As they age, these white flowers slowly turn brown and usually only last until October.
The leaves of the shamrock have three, or very rarely four, oval leaflets.
The shamrock and Ireland
White clover shamrock and its creamy white flowers
White clover shamrock and its creamy white flowers
White clover shamrock and its creamy white flowers
Do you know the story of St. Patrick and the shamrock?
Well, St. Patrick used the shamrock to help explain the idea of the Holy Trinity to the Irish people. This is the Christian belief that there are three persons in one God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Just as the shamrock leaf is three things in one, so too is God.
St. Patrick is Ireland’s national saint. On 17th of March each year St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated not only in Ireland, but in Irish communities all across the world.
The shamrock has been associated with good luck for since Early Celtic times, when it was used as a charm against evil spirits. Sometimes it is mistaken as the national symbol of Ireland, but our real national symbol is the Celtic harp.