Shamrocks vs. Oxalis: Will the Real Shamrock Please Stand Up (2024)

FAQs

Shamrocks vs. Oxalis: Will the Real Shamrock Please Stand Up? ›

Oxalis is a member of the wood sorrel family

Purple-leaved oxalis have lavender flowers while green leaved shamrocks have white flowers. Oxalis and shamrocks are commonly sold around St. Patrick's Day as a seasonal plant but with the correct care they make a great houseplant.

At most times, Shamrock refers to either the species Trifolium dubium (lesser/yellow clover, Irish: seamair bhuí) or Trifolium repens (white clover, Irish: seamair bhán). However, other three-leaved plants—such as Medicago lupulina, Trifolium pratense, and Oxalis acetosella—are sometimes called shamrocks.

The scientific name is Oxalis triangularis, formerly Oxalis regnellii. The variety names I found are 'Francis,' 'Myka,' 'Fanny,' and 'Atropurpurea.

Caring for American “Shamrock”

America has also looked beyond Trifolium and adopted Oxalis, a plant native to the Americas and South Africa, as its own version of the shamrock. Oxalis is commonly sold in American stores as a “shamrock” plant. You'll likely see them on display around St. Patrick's Day.

The plants marketed for this holiday are actually species of Oxalis, also known as wood sorrels, that have clover-shaped leaves. Most oxalis have leaves with 3 or 4 leaflets, but some have up to 9 divisions. The leaves come in shades of green, red, or purple, and some are patterned.

The most common species associated with the term shamrock is Trifolium dubium. The shamrock has been a symbol of Ireland for centuries, and there are many stories about the origins of this national icon. A popular legend says that Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to pagan Irish people.

When a plant is over-watered or the soil is compacted or is not draining well, the drooping leaves may be harder to recover from. Check whether the soil is staying wet (Oxalis likes soil to dry between waterings), the drain hole is blocked and re-pot the plant if the soil is no longer loose and free-draining.

This variety is often used as a ground cover, as it spreads quickly and is easy to maintain. Other popular varieties of shamrock plants include the Iron Cross shamrock, which has leaves shaped like a cross, and the Golden shamrock, which has bright yellow leaves.

An interesting characteristic of many oxalis species is the movement of their leaves in response to light levels. They open in bright light and close at night or when the day is overcast. These nyctinastic or sleep movements are due to rhythmic changes in turgor pressure within some leaf cells.

Where is the best place to plant a shamrock? ›

They prefer bright, indirect light in locations with cool night temperatures (around 60°F) and warm days (around 70°F). Plants are often fertilized lightly with a dilute fertilizer solution once or twice a month during the growing season and after flowering.

How long do potted shamrocks last? With proper care, the plant can thrive indoors indefinitely. It blooms sporadically throughout the growing season, typically experiencing a one to three month dormancy period in the winter.

Family: Oxalidaceae (wood sorrel family). Other Common Names: Yellow woodsorrel, yellow oxalis, upright yellow sorrel, shamrock, lucky clover, good luck plant.

HOW TO IDENTIFY OXALIS. Oxalis is a broadleaf perennial weed that, left unchecked, comes back from the roots year after year. Each distinctive shamrock-like leaf has three heart-shaped leaflets outlined with tiny hairs. Depending on the plant, oxalis leaves are deep green, purple-red or both.

Purple oxalis (common name for Oxalis triangularis) is an herbaceous perennial plant. Also known as false shamrock or purple shamrock plant, purple oxalis has deep purple, heart-shaped leaflets that grow in clusters of three. Clumps of small pink flowers or white flowers bloom from the purple oxalis plant.

By David Taylor. Common yellow wood sorrel is a member of the Oxalidaceae, the Wood Sorrel family. Species in this family are small trees to small herbs.