The Four-leaf clover is the result of a rare mutation of the three-leaf clover plant. Its rarity, 1 in 10,000 plants, has lead to belief that finding a four-leaf clover is a sign of good luck.WiseGeek.com: What is a Four Leaf Clover?
Shamrocks
Some mistakenly refer to all clovers, including four-leaf clovers, as shamrocks. While they come from the Trefolium repens, as a Celtic symbol, the shamrock specifically refers to the three-leafed variety.FourLeafClover.com: Facts About Shamrocks (2004)
References
Fast Facts
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Scientific name
Trifolium repens
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Fact:
1 of 10,000 clovers have 4 leaves
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4th leaf is usually slightly smaller
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Often confused with Pepperwart, and Oxalis
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Mutation attributed to environmental stress
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Additional theories are genetic causes like a recessive gene, somatic mutation or interaction of several segregated genes
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Believed to bring good luck to its finder
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Leaves signify
Faith, Hope, Love, Luck
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Fact:
4th leaf is a symbol of luck
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77-year-old Edward Martin is said to have found more than 160,000 four-leaf clovers in his lifetimeNew York Times: 160,000 Four-Leaf Clovers? (March 25, 2008)
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Irish legend says that Saint Patrick used the regular 3-leaf variety of clover to represent the TrinityWiseGeek.com: What is a Four Leaf Clover?
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Fact:
When using the 4-leaf clover to represent the Trinity the extra leaflet is said to stand for God's GraceWiseGeek.com: What is a Four Leaf Clover?
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Mutated clovers can have more than 4 leaflets
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The Guinness World Record for leaflets on a clover is 18
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Some companies cultivate 4-leaf clovers to sell by introducing genetically-engineered ingredients to the plantsWiseGeek.com: What is a Four Leaf Clover?
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Fact:
Some companies have been successful in cultivating 5-leaf clovers as wellWiseGeek.com: What is a Four Leaf Clover?
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Fact:
Clover breeder Yoke and Zoom say they occasionally leave 4-leaf clovers for people to find around the streets of LondonWiseGeek.com: What is a Four Leaf Clover?
