What does a clover symbolize?
What does Clover Leaf symbolize?According to Irish tradition, those who find a four-leaf clover are destined for good luck, as each leaf in the clover symbolizes good omens for faith, hope, love, and luck for the finder. A lesser-known fact about four-leaf clovers is that they aren't the luckiest symbol after all.
Are clover flowers poisonous to humans?
WARNING:White clover in colder climates is generally non-poisonous, but the same white clover in warmer climates can be poisonous. All clover with white flowers should be avoided except in the northern states and Canada. Quite a few people are allergic so go easy at first until you know one way or the other. Secondly, never ferment and eat clover.
What does Clover flower mean?
Clovers are annual, biennial and perennial flowering plants of the genus Trifolium and the pea Family Fabaceae. They have small, fragrant, pea-like flowers and round, 3-lobed leaves. Clovers grow mostly in the Northern Hemisphere. The word comes from the Latin tres, which means ‘three’ and folium, which means ‘leaf’.
Is a 4 leaf clover a flower?
Sometimes, the shamrock is depicted as a four-leaf clover, but this isn’t quite accurate. Traditionally, a shamrock is a three-leaf clover . Why three leaves and not four? According to legend, St. Patrick used a three-leaf shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, with one leaf representing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, respectively.
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What are clover flowers called?
The clover flower, otherwise known as trefoil, has over 300 species of plants in the family Fabaceae, genus Trifolium. The name comes from ‘tres’ m...
What are clover flowers good for?
Traditional medicines used red clover for hot flashes, skin disorders, arthritis stiffness and pain, osteoporosis, and hair issues. White clovers a...
What do clover flowers symbolize?
The meaning and symbolism of clover flowers are closely associated with good fortune and luck, whether they are four-leaved or not. They are a sign...
What hardiness zones are suitable for growing clover flowers?
White clover is the Trifolium that is most widely used for ground cover and lawn maintenance, which is hardy in the USDA hardiness zones 3 through 10.
How much light do clover flowers need to grow?
Where possible aim to plant clover seeds in full sun or partial shade with a minimum of four hours of sun exposure.
Does a clover produce a flower?
Clovers produce very small, fragrant flowers that are crowded into dense, nearly spherical heads, that can be white, pink, red, or yellow in color.
What is a clover flower?
Clover flowers are annual, biennial, or short-lived perennials that have alternate compound leaves and small but fragrant flowers that bloom over spring and summer in most areas. They are similar in appearance to Birds-Foot Trefoil Flowers. They are a symbol of luck.
What does clover mean?
Clover Flower Meaning & Symbolism. The meaning and symbolism of clover flowers are closely associated with good fortune and luck, whether they are four-leaved or not . They are a sign of protection and male energy and can be a charm against hexes and negativity.
What is the best clover for meadows?
Popular clover types include Trifolium repens, the white clover perennial that is great in meadows; Trifolium fragiferum, the strawberry clover with its rose- purple flowers; Trifolium pratense, red clover that is used medicinally; and Trifolium campestre, hop trefoil that is mostly found in roadside ditches and pastures.
What is the Celtic symbol for the shamrock clover?
Four-leaved clovers were Celtic charms to ward off bad luck and offered protection to the carrier. Traditionally, the shamrock clover is an Irish cultural symbol, appearing on the Erin Go Bragh flag and used by St. Patrick for a visual representation of Ireland’s identity.
How many types of clover are there?
There are over 265 types of Trifolium. Clover is any Trifolium having trifoliolate leaves, dense head flowers, and members of the legume family. ‘ Clover ’ was first used prior to the 12th century and comes from Old English clāfre.
What is the meaning of the four leaf clover?
Three leaf clovers have been said to be the sign of the Holy Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, where four-leaf clovers add God’s Grace.
How tall does clover grow?
As a ground cover, clover needs plenty of room for growth. Average clover species will grow around six inches tall and spread about 18 inches for a single plant, however, plants may have tendrils that take root.
What is the Irish symbol for clover?
Shamrock, the traditional Irish symbol, which according to legend was coined by Saint Patrick for the Holy Trinity, is commonly associated with clover, although alternatively sometimes with the various species within the genus Oxalis, which are also trifoliate.
What is a white clover?
White clover. Trifolium repens, white or Dutch clover, is a perennial abundant in meadows and good pastures. The flowers are white or pinkish, becoming brown and deflexed as the corolla fades.
What is the classification of Trifolium?
Within this classification system, Trifolium repens falls within section Lotoidea, the largest and least heterogeneous section. Lotoidea contains species from America, Africa, and Eurasia, considered a clade because of their inflorescence shape, floral structure, and legume that protrudes from the calyx. However, these traits are not unique to the section, and are shared with many other species in other sections. Zohary and Heller argued that the presence of these traits in other sections proved the basal position of Lotoidea, because they were ancestral. Aside from considering this section basal, they did not propose relationships between other sections. Since then, molecular data has both questioned and confirmed the proposed phylogeny from Zohary and Heller. A genus-wide molecular study has since proposed a new classification system, made up of two subgenera, Chronosemium and Trifolium. This recent reclassification further divides subgenus Trifolium into eight sections. The molecular data supports the monophyletic nature of three sections proposed by Zohary and Heller ( Tripholium, Paramesus, and Trichoecepalum ), but not of Lotoidea (members of this section have since been reclassified into five other sections). Other molecular studies, although smaller, support the need to reorganize Lotoidea.
What is a trifolium medium?
Trifolium medium, meadow or zigzag clover, a perennial with straggling flexuous stems and rose-purple flowers, has potential for interbreeding with T. pratense to produce perennial crop plants.
When was the Trifolium first classified?
The first extensive classification of Trifolium was done by Zohary and Heller in 1984. They divided the genus into eight sections: Lotoidea, Paramesus, Mistyllus, Vesicamridula, Chronosemium, Trifolium, Trichoecephalum, and Involucrarium, with Lotoidea placed most basally.
Why is clover short lived?
In many areas, particularly on acidic soil, clover is short-lived because of a combination of insect pests, diseases and nutrient balance; this is known as "clover sickness". When crop rotations are managed so that clover does not recur at intervals shorter than eight years, it grows with much of its pristine vigor.
How many leaflets does a clover have?
These four-leaf clovers, like other rarities, are considered lucky. Clovers can also have five, six, or more leaflets, but these are rarer still. The clovers outer leaf structure varies in physical orientation.
What is a clover plant?
: a small plant that has leaves with three leaflets and usually roundish red, white, yellow, or purple flower heads and is sometimes grown for hay or pasture.
What is a trifolium?
1 : any of a genus (Trifolium) of low leguminous herbs having trifoliolate leaves and flowers in dense heads and including many that are valuable for forage and attractive to bees. 2 : any of various related plants (as of the genera Melilotus, Lespedeza, or Medicago) of the legume family. in clover or less commonly in the clover.
Genus Trifolium
The common clover, or trefoil, is a member of the genus trifolium that contains over 300 species of flowering plants. This genus is part of the pea legume botanical family, fabaceae.
What do Clover Plants Look Like?
Clover flowers are very easily recognizable, and chances are that you’ve seen one without ever knowing that it was a clover flower!
What are Some Clover Species?
The most common type of clover is the white clover. This perennial grows abundantly in pastures and meadows, and they are recognized by having white or pink flowers.
Where do Clovers Grow?
There are many different clover species in the genus trifolium, and they grow in abundance in the temperate northern hemisphere. There are many other species that occur in South America and Africa as well, but this is mostly in mountainous regions at high altitudes.
How do you Grow a Clover Plant?
When at a nursery and deciding on what seeds to purchase and try out in your garden, it is common to graze over the package of clover seeds. Next time you’re browsing, it would be wise to pick up a package!
What are the Growing Conditions of a Clover Plant?
When it comes to clover, they have absolutely no requirements in terms of soil quality. Different species exist in rocky soils, others in clay soils, some in very dry soil, and others in water logged soils.
How are Clovers Used?
Clovers are cultivated as fodder plants because they are high in valuable nourishments such as calcium, protein, and phosphorous. They are palatable by grazing animals both in their green stage or in their dry stage.
What is the purpose of clover blossoms?
Faery Communication. All clover blossoms are members of the precious and esteemed group of flowers that help us connect and communicate with the faeries. They are like little energetic doorways into the faery realm.
Why are clover leaves so famous?
It seems clover’s leaves are often more famous than his blossoms – but why? Clover blossoms are ever so magical and endlessly lovely in their radiant subtlety. Paragons of gentleness of purity , they also engender vibrant health, enhanced physical beauty, innate prosperity consciousness, and calm inner strength.
How to purify a room with clover blossoms?
Place fresh clover blossoms in bath water, along with one cup sea salt, for a physical/emotional/spiritual purification bath. After space clearing, arrange fresh clover blossoms and soy candles together on a plate and place in a central location in a room. Repeat in each room and area of the home, and light the candles to help set ...
What to do with clover blossoms in a faery altar?
Working with the flower essence can help blur the walls between our realm and the realm of the fey.
How to use clover blossom for purification?
Here are some ways clover blossom can be used for purification: Place two drops clover essence in a mister of rose water and mist an interior space to purify the vibrations. You can also mist your body and aura for the same purpose.
Why is clover used in detox?
White clover blossom has been used to detoxify the system and realign the body with its natural state of health. Energetically speaking, either or both can be used to restore vibrant health to the body/mind/spirit and to remind us of our most ideal state of holistic well being.
What is the difference between white clover and red clover?
WHITE-CLOVER: White clover is used to work against hexes, and is worn or scattered around the premises for this. RED CLOVER: This clover, added to the bath water, aids you in dealing with financial arrangements of every kind. Red clover is also used in lust potions and the infusion is sprinkled to remove negative spirits.
What does the clover represent?
Some traditions say that the three leaves of the clover represent faith, hope, and love. The fourth, of course, is for luck. In the Holy Trinity, the clover represents the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and on four-leaf clovers the fourth is God’s Grace.
Why is clover so famous?
The main reason that clover is famous today as a legendary plant is the association with Ireland and especially St. Patrick. But there are many other stories and sayings that have cropped up around clover:
Why is clover important to Ireland?
The association with Ireland is valid, as clover has held an important place in that country’s history and culture. Legends say that the Druids believed in the symbolic power of a clover leaf, as the number three was considered mystical. Later, when St. Patrick came to the island, he used the three leaves of the clover to explain the Holy Trinity.
What is the meaning of the Irish word for shamrock?
In the Irish language, seamróg, or shamrock, means simply “summer plant.”. It is thought to refer to white clover, Trifolium repens.
Is clover a cover crop?
Everyone associates clovers and shamrocks with being Irish and St. Patrick’s Day, but what’s the real history behind this legume? For homeowners, it can be an annoying weed, while for serious gardeners, clover is an important lawn alternative, cover crop and attracts bees.
About The Clover Flower
Uses Throughout History
- Clovers have been used in various cultures for medicinal purposes for centuries. In Russia and China, red clover is used for diuretic, sedative, antispasmodic, antitussive, choleretic, and depurative abilities. It also cures external skin conditions and heart and respiratory diseases, like coughs, spasms, and hoarseness. And a high antioxidant count also gives it anti-cancer properti…
Clover Flower Symbolism
- The Clover is most known for having three leaves, with a fourth leaf being a rare find. It’s also a popular symbol for Ireland and, more specifically, St. Patrick’s day.
Final Thoughts
- Clover is popular foliage for thick ground cover, livestock feed, and an amulet for good luck, fortune, and charm. Clover can form flowers in yellow, pink, red, and white. It has meanings of marriage and love, good luck, and hope.
Overview
Clover or trefoil are common names for plants of the genus Trifolium (from Latin tres 'three' + folium 'leaf'), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume or pea family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution with highest diversity in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, but many species also occur in South America and Africa, includin…
Cultivation
Several species of clover are extensively cultivated as fodder plants. The most widely cultivated clovers are white clover, Trifolium repens, and red clover, Trifolium pratense. Clover, either sown alone or in mixture with ryegrass, has for a long time formed a staple crop for silaging, for several reasons: it grows freely, shooting up again after repeated mowings; it produces an abundant crop; it is …
Uses
Clover is foraged by wildlife, including bears, game animals, and birds. Native Americans ate the plants raw and cooked, drying and smoking the roots. The seeds from the blossoms were used to make bread. It is also possible to make tea from the blossoms.
Symbolism
Shamrock, the traditional Irish symbol, which according to legend was coined by Saint Patrick for the Holy Trinity, is commonly associated with clover, although alternatively sometimes with the various species within the genus Oxalis, which are also trifoliate.
Clovers occasionally have four leaflets, instead of the usual three. These four-l…
Phylogeny
The first extensive classification of Trifolium was done by Zohary and Heller in 1984. They divided the genus into eight sections: Lotoidea, Paramesus, Mistyllus, Vesicamridula, Chronosemium, Trifolium, Trichoecephalum, and Involucrarium, with Lotoidea placed most basally. Within this classification system, Trifolium repens falls within section Lotoidea, the largest and least heterogeneous section. Lotoidea contains species from America, Africa, and Eurasia, considere…
Selected species
The genus Trifolium currently has 245 recognized species:
• Trifolium acaule A. Rich.
• Trifolium affine C. Presl
• Trifolium africanum Ser.
• Trifolium aintabense Boiss. & Hausskn.
See also
• Clover honey
• Cloverleaf quasar
• Green manure
External links
• Media related to Trifolium at Wikimedia Commons
• Quattrofolium
• Edibility of clover: Edible parts and visual identification of wild clover.
• Nitrogen fixation