Lucky Shamrock: Not All Varieties So Lucky

Oxalis spp.

The shamrock plant is the revered botanical for all things St. Patrick's Day, however, the common term "shamrock" has been associated with seven different species of plants.

Seven Faces of Shamrocks

• Trifolium dubium, Lesser Clover
• Trifolium repens, White Clover
• Trifolium pretense, Red Clover
• Medicago lupulina, Black Medick
• Oxalis acetosella, Wood Sorrel
• Trifolium spp.
• Oxalis spp.

One species, Oxalis spp., is actually categorized as a poisonous plant! As an oxalate, it hails from the same family as sourgrass and wood sorrel. While the Irish more commonly associate lesser clover, Trifolium dubium as their true shamrock, scientists list the poisonous Oxalis spp. under the common name "shamrock." http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/poisonous-plants/oxalis-spp/

Data Facts on the Shamrock

Common Name(s):
Shamrock, lucky clover, good luck plant

Category:

Poisonous Plants

Description:

Annual or perennial herbs; leaves long-stalked with 3 leaflets; flowers 5-parted, white, yellow, lavender, or rose; fruit a capsule.

Family:

Oxalidaceae

Origin:

Americas and South Africa

Distribution:

Throughout the Americas

Poison Part:

All parts.

Poison Delivery Mode:

Ingestion, but no documented cases in humans.

Symptoms:

Caution: large quantities may cause trembling, cramps, and staggering as in grazing animals.

Edibility:

EDIBLE PARTS: Small amounts of leaves, flowers, seeds, tubers/roots eaten raw are not dangerous. Leaves, flowers, seeds, tubers/

Toxic Principle:

Soluble oxalate.

Severity:

CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

Found in:

Houseplant or interiorscape; weedy in disturbed areas, lawns; landscape in flower gardens as herbaceous perennial.