A number of different plants are called shamrocks; however, the official shamrock of Ireland is Trifolium dubium (try-FOL-lee-um DOO-bee-um), a clover with yellow flowers and lobed leaves. In the United States, we often see Oxalis offered around the St. Patrick's Day holiday instead of this plant.
The shamrock is a symbol of St. Patrick’s Day and legend has
it that St. Patrick used the plant with its three-lobed leaf to illustrate the
holy Trinity. Shamrocks are associated with the country of Ireland, friendship,
Christianity and good luck. The word shamrock comes from the old Irish word
"seamrog" which means "summer plant."
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| O. triangularis |
Since clover is difficult to grow
indoors, garden centers, florists and grocery stores sell varieties of Oxalis,
some with green leaves and others with burgundy leaves. They are not native to
the United States. Oxalis acetosella (ox-AL-liss ass-eh-TOW-sell-ah) is a member of the wood sorrel family and is propagated from a bulb. It has small, dark green lobed leaves and grows about 6" high. It grows as a short mound in the pot with shoots sprouting upward and has small, white cup-like flowers. Oxalis prefer bright light but not direct sun and a consistently moist soil, not soggy. If the foliage turns yellow, this could be a sign of overwatering.
This plant needs to go into a dormant
state two or three times a year. When the plant loses its vigor, stop watering
and remove the leaves as they turn brown. Put the pot in a cool, dry place for
two or three months. To break the dormancy, resume watering and add a
houseplant fertilizer (10-10-10). The plant should start to revive and thrive
for a few more months.
In 1952, the Irish ambassador dropped off
shamrocks for President Truman. This became an annual tradition to celebrate
the close ties of the United States with Ireland. Each St. Patrick’s Day an
Irish official presents the President of the United States with a Waterford
crystal bowl filled with shamrocks. In 2010 a late frost caused a shortage of
shamrocks, annuals that begin growth in the spring, in Ireland; however, on
March 17, Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen presented President Obama with real
shamrocks during the annual Shamrock Ceremony.
What happens to all these shamrocks and
Waterford bowls? Cable Network News reports that White House security
regulations dictate that any food, drink or plant given to the president be
"handled pursuant to Secret Service policy." That's Secret Service-speak
for destroyed-an unceremonious fate, for an enduring symbol of a long
friendship. As for the bowls, over the years they have been used in the
President’s private residence, displayed among other gifts and Ronald Regan
used one for his jelly beans.
Other varieties are also sold as shamrocks: Oxalis regnellii
(ox-AL-liss reg-NEE-lee-eye) with white flowers and O. triangularis with purple leaves and pink or white flowers. Care for these plants are the same.
~ Carol Kagan, Master Gardener
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