Four Leaf Clover for Luck

The four-leaf clover from the White Clover plant, trifolium repens, considered to be the Original Shamrock.

Other plants sold as four leaf clovers are actually Pepperwort or Water Clover (Marsilea Quadrifolia) or Oxalis (Oxalis deppei or Oxalis tetraphylla) plants that produce all four leaves. Another way of identifying a real four-leaf clover is that the fourth leaf is usually smaller than the other three leaves.

What do the leaves symbolize?

• One leaf is for FAITH...
• The second for HOPE...
• The third for LOVE...
• And the fourth for LUCK!
  

In Irish tradition the Shamrock or Three-leaf Clover represents the Holy Trinity: one leaf for the Father, one for the Son and one for the Holy Spirit. When a Shamrock is found with the fourth leaf, it represents God's Grace.

Here is some "history" of the four leaf clover:

The four leaf clover is a universally accepted symbol of good luck with its origin ages old. According to legend, Eve carried a four leaf clover from the Garden of Eden.

"The clovers also occupied a position in the cultural life of early peoples. White clover (T. repens L.) in particular was held in high esteem by the early Celts of Wales as a charm against evil spirits." Clover Science and Technology". N.L. Taylor, 1985.

Druids held the 4 leaf clover in high esteem and considered them a sign of luck. In 1620, Sir John Melton wrote: "If a man walking in the fields find any four-leaved grass, he shall in a small while after find some good thing.

The mystique of the four leaf clover continues today, since finding a real four leaf clover is still a rare occurrence and omen of good luck.

It occured to me that (according to our Feng Shui information)it is advantageous to have an aquarium in your career area. How cool would it be to grow this aquatic four leaf clover in the fish tank? It's not the "traditional" shamrock, but it's clover and it has four leaves and not only that, it's cute! Here is the info on the Clover Fern:

The Four Leaf Clover, also known as the Clover Fern, originates from inland Australia. It has two pairs of leaflets arranged in a four leaf clover pattern. The Four Leaf Clover can grow in a number of different soil types, ranging from sands to clays.

Under the proper conditions, this fern will form a thick carpet with its numerous runners. It is amphibious, and will grow either partially or fully submersed.

The Four Leaf Clover requires high light conditions and water temperatures between 68°-84°F for best growth. It prefers water that has a neutral pH, but can be housed in water with a pH of 6.2-7.5 and still flourish. A nutrient rich substrate will promote growth.

Planting the runners that grow from mature, healthy plants is the best way to propagate the Four Leaf Clover. When the "baby" is approximately half the size of the "parent," cut the roots apart so they may grow separate from one another. They may occasionally produce seeds that can be used to cultivate new plants, and can also produce adventitious shoots to be used for propagation.