Whether it was in your front yard, out on the school playground or blanketing a wide-open field—just about every adult reminisces about searching for that magical four-leafed clover during some part of their childhood. Perhaps you were that little boy or girl who gave up in frustration (and covered in grass stains) after hours of searching. Maybe you were that “creative” kid who tried to attach that elusive “extra” leaf to the abundant three-leafer to fool your classmates into thinking you found that mystically elusive four-leafed clover (by the way, no one was fooled). Or maybe—just maybe—you were that lucky 1 in 10,000 who actually found a real, legitimate four-leafed Trifolium repens (a.k.a. the Dutch clover). (Our publisher Mindi actually found two, one she carries everyday preserved in her wallet!)

No matter which shamrock-searching child you were, there is no denying that not a single other plant (much less a “weed”) holds as much magical aura, or possesses such promise of good luck as the beloved four-leafed clover.

The clover (of the Trifolium genus), appears in about 300 species of plants in the pea family. Usually found in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, many species also grow in South America and Africa. These small herbaceous plants are most commonly seen with three (trifoliate) leaves but can develop 5, 6, or 7 leaves. (Reportedly, 21-leaf clovers have been found!) It’s been estimated that there are approximately 10,000 three-leaf clovers for every four-leaf clover, making these extra-leafed clovers rare, and therefore the myth of them bringing good luck developed. Although it is pretty lucky just to stumble on one!
It is debated whether these extra leaflets are caused genetically or environmentally. The rarity of these occurrences suggests a recessive gene that appears at a low frequency. However, the extra leaves could be caused by a mutation or developmental error due to environmental effects. It is possible that either explanation could apply to each individual case. Many species in the Trifolium genus develop small flowers consisting of a dense head of soft spikes in red, purple, white, or yellow.

Most commonly seen growing freely in Northern regions is the Dutch clover, Trifolium repens, a perennial abundant in meadows and pastures that produces a white or pinkish flower. Red clover, Trifolium pratense, is also largely cultivated by farmers. Either sown alone or mixed with ryegrass, clover has become a stable crop for pasturage due to its resilience and abundance. In other words, it is so rich in nutrients, farmers cultivate it to turn it over in their soil to enrich it to support their food crops!

While most of the Trifolium species of clover are not suitable for our Zone 10 climate, the Oxalis genus provides us with many species of clover-shaped flowers in a variety of colors that are perfect for window boxes, ground cover, and accent planting. Don’t be so quick to yank out that clump of “weed” clover growing in your lawn. Carefully dig it out, pot it in rich soil and stand back, it morphs into a gorgeous potted plant either with pink or yellow flowers and the leaves grow in tandem with the size vessel you repot it in!