^№14
Red Clover

Trifolium pratense

This is the species of the legendary four-leaf clover. The term “shamrock” derives from the Irish word, seamrog: “little clover.” Why is this such an icon of good luck? Legend has it that Eve carried a four-leaf clover with her when expelled from the Garden of Eden, so it represents a small piece of Paradise on Earth.

Many of the Celtic races revered the clover, believing that if one carried a (three-leaf) clover it would give advance warning of evil spirits ahead, and a four-leaf clover would provide active protection. Similarly medieval children were told that a four-leaf clover would allow the bearer to see faeries where they were hidden.

In Christian folklore the three-leaf clover represents the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Ghost (as told by Saint Patrick), while the fourth leaf represents the Grace of God.

The chances of finding a four-leaf clover are estimated at 10,000-1 (so there has to be at least one in a bottle of Botanist somewhere), and the highest number of leaves found on a single clover stem so far is 56 – off the scale luck.

Trifolium Pratense, the red clover, is the national flower of Denmark!