"Take time to work, it is the price of success.
Take time to meditate, it is the source of power.
Take time to play, it is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to read, it is the way to knowledge.
Take time to be friendly, it is the road to happiness.
Take time to laugh, it is the music of the soul.
And take time to love, and be loved. "
old Irish prayer
In Ireland, the term “shamrock” is generally applied to a small-leaved clover, Trifolium dubium, or sometimes another close relative, the slightly larger white clover, Trifolium repens, a common lawn weed originally native to Ireland. All species traditionally identified as shamrock are part of the Fabaceae or legume family. Within this family, there are more than 800 species of Trifolium and Oxalis, the two genus most closely associated with shamrock. Occasionally, a fourth leaflet will appear, making a “four-leaf clover,” said to bring good luck to the person who discovers it.
All clover species are noted for their ability to affix nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil through their roots. The nectar from their flowers is a favorite of bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.
According to legend, the shamrock was a sacred plant to the Druids of Ireland because its leaves formed a triad which was a mystical number in the Celtic religion. St. Patrick used the shamrock in the 5th century to illustrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity as he introduced Christianity to Ireland.
In the 19th century, republican military groups during the long struggle for independence adopted the shamrock. In 1801, the Act of Union brought Ireland under British rule and in the same way that the rose was England’s national symbol, the leek was Wales’, and the thistle was Scotland’s, the shamrock became Ireland’s symbol. It was this period that spawned the phrase “the wearin’ o’ the green”.
The shamrock has been featured in songs, art, stories, fashion, architecture, decorative objects, and eventually as State emblems too. Today, the shamrock symbol has been registered as a trademark by the Irish government.
In the United States, Oxalis is commonly sold as a “shamrock” plant. Oxalis is a large genus of flowering plants in the wood-sorrel family Oxalidaceae, comprising about 570 species. The leaves of Oxalis can be deep purple, bright green, maroon, blue, or a combination of these colors. They produce flowers in shades of pink and purple or yellow and white. Its dainty flowers and vibrant foliage make it an attractive plant for home gardeners, especially for use in containers.
To grow oxalis as a houseplant, keep it evenly moist and in part shade. They will wilt if the soil is allowed to dry out, so it’s best to protect them from strong sunlight.
To grow shamrocks as a houseplant, keep it well watered and well lit at all times except for winter, when the plant has a dormancy period. In this case, keep the soil barely moist. It thrives best close to the surface in well drained soil, in cool air. Shamrocks don’t like other house plants – they prefer their own company, and lots of it, so grow a whole bunch of shamrock all in one pot. After the dormant period, repot them.
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