shamrock
a plant having leaves divided into three leaflets, variously identified as the wood sorrel, red clover, white clover, and black medick: the national emblem of Ireland
Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
wood sorrel
wood sorrel
(commonly mistaken as clover) An amazing taste treat, very lemony citrus-like flavor that looks like three or four leaf clover with folded leaves and bell shaped pink, violet, yellow or white flower which has 5 petals. The leaves are dull, not shiny and can sometimes be a plum color or green with red around the edges. Wood Sorrel leaves are heart shaped, clover leaves are not, they are oval egg shaped and usually have a whitish line. (see diagram) Wood Sorrel has a sour lemony taste, clover doesn't. The wood sorrel seed pods resemble small upward pointing ocra fruits. The stems are fibrous, so most people pluck off the leaves and eat them. The best parts to eat are the leaves, seed pods and flowers. The stems can be used to make tea. The sour lemony taste makes this a great addition to any meal. Because of the high levels of oxalic acid, start by eating a little and building up your tolerance over time. (don’t take if you have kidney issues or stones). Leaves chewed for nausea, mouth sores. Leaf tea used for urinary infections, fever, colds, cleansing blood, gum disease, reduce swelling, soaking tired swollen feet. Makes great lemonade.
Edible Plant Guide © 2012 Markus Rothkranz
shamrock
of Ireland. [Flower Symbolism: Brewer Note-Book, 334]
shamrock
indicates light-heartedness. [Flower Symbolism: Flora Symbolica, 177]
See: Gaiety
shamrock
St. Patrick’s legendary symbol of triune God. [Christian Symbolism: Appleton, 87]
See: Trinity
Allusions—Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.