Shamrock vs. Clover
Main DifferenceThe main difference between shamrock and clover is that shamrock is used to refer to the white clover species, whereas clover is used to refer to trefoils or to any 300 species that fit into the Trifolium family.

Difference Between Shamrock and Clover
Shamrock vs. Clover
The word shamrock is usually resultant from the Gaelic word seamrog that generally means “little clover,” whereas clover is a common term that refers to “trefoils.”
Shamrock vs. Clover
Shamrock is a prominent symbol of Ireland which represents the Holy Trinity On St. Patrick’s Day, while clover is widely accepted and symbolized as luck, faith, hope, and love.
Shamrock vs. Clover
Shamrock is used to referring to the white clover species, Trifolium Repens, and suckling clover, whereas clover is used to refer to trefoils or to any 300 species that fit into the Trifolium family.
Shamrock vs. Clover
Shamrock is a “Trifolium” which means three leaflets; on the other hand, clover is a “trifoliate” which means three toothed leaflets even though four-leaf, five-leaf, and six-leaf clovers are also found.
Shamrock vs. Clover
Shamrock is typically more the three-leaf clover; on the contrary, clover, which is four-leaf is a rarer genetic mutation.
Shamrock vs. Clover
Shamrock grow during spring, and it is a young spring of white clover; on the flip side, clover usually grows during winter.
Shamrock vs. Clover
Shamrock is used as a house plant because it is a decorative plant and it better suited there; conversely, clover can convert nitrogen into fertilizer by using the bacteria which is present in its roots
Shamrocknoun
The trefoil leaf of any small clover, especially Trifolium repens, or such a leaf from a clover-like plant, commonly used as a symbol of Ireland.
She wore a shamrock in honor of her Irish ancestry.Clovernoun
A plant of the genus Trifolium with leaves usually divided into three (rarely four) leaflets and with white or red flowers.
Shamrocknoun
Any of several small plants, forms of clover, with trefoil leaves, especially Trifolium repens.
The fields were covered with shamrocks.Clovernoun
(cartomancy) The second Lenormand card, representing hope, optimism and short-term luck.
Shamrocknoun
creeping European clover having white to pink flowers and bright green leaves; naturalized in United States; widely grown for forage
Clovernoun
a plant of the genus Trifolium
Shamrocknoun
Eurasian plant with heart-shaped trifoliate leaves and white pink- or purple-veined flowers
Shamrocknoun
clover native to Ireland with yellowish flowers; often considered the true or original shamrock
Comparison Chart
Shamrock | Clover |
Shamrock is generally associated with Ireland because Saint Patrick used these plant as a metaphor of the Holy Trinity. | Clover is a general term which is meant to represent the luck and God’s Grace because they are difficult to find. |
Derived From | |
Derived from the Gaelic word seamrog | It is a common term that refers to “trefoils.” |
Meaning of Word | |
“Little clover.” | “Three toothed leaflets.” |
Symbolization | |
The famous symbol of Ireland which represents the Holy Trinity On St. Patrick’s Day | Widely accepted and symbolized as luck, faith, hope, and love |
Refers To | |
Refer to the white clover species or Trifolium Repens | Refer to trefoils or to any 300 species that fit into the Trifolium family |
General Meaning | |
A “Trifolium” which means three leaflets | A “trifoliate” which means three toothed leaflets although four-leaf, five-leaf, and six-leaf clovers are also found |
History | |
Typically more the three-leaf clover | The four-leaf clover is a rarer genetic mutation |
Growth Season | |
A young spring of white clover | Usually grows during winter |
Uses | |
Used as a house plant because it is a decorative plant and it better suited there | Has the capability to convert nitrogen into fertilizer by using the bacteria which is present in its roots |
Shamrock vs. Clover
The word shamrock is usually resultant from the Gaelic word seamrog that generally means “little clover,” whereas clover is a common term that refers to “trefoils.” Shamrock is a famous symbol of Ireland which represents the Holy Trinity On St. Patrick’s Day, while clover is widely accepted and symbolized as luck, faith, hope, and love. Shamrock is used to referring to the white clover species or Trifolium Repens, whereas clover is used to refer to trefoils or to any 300 species that fit into the Trifolium family. Shamrock is a “Trifolium” which means three leaflets; on the other hand, clover is a “trifoliate” which means three toothed leaflets although four-leaf, five-leaf, and six-leaf clovers are also found. Shamrock is typically more the three-leaf clover; on the contrary, clover which is four-leaf is a rarer genetic mutation. Shamrock is normally a young spring of white clover; on the flip side, clover usually grows during winter. Shamrock is used as a house plant because it is a decorative plant and it better suited there; conversely, clover can convert nitrogen into fertilizer by using the bacteria which is present in its roots.
What is Shamrock?
Shamrock is generally derived from the Irish word, or Gaelic word seamrog means little clover or young clover. Shamrock traditionally refers to three-leaf clover. Shamrock is related to Ireland because Saint Patrick used these plant as a metaphor of the Christian Holy Trinity with each leaf representing the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. That’s why the shamrock is a famous symbol of Ireland which represents the Holy Trinity On St. Patrick’s Day. Shamrock is used to discuss the Trifolium Repens, white clover species, Trifolium dubium, and suckling clover. Shamrock was widely and traditionally used for its medicinal properties, but now shamrock is used as a house plant because it is a decorative plant and it better suited there. Shamrock is normally a young spring of white clover which means it grows in spring.
What is Clover?
Clover is mostly the common name for a ground cover plant which is often found in fields and lawns, but clover is a general term which is meant to represent the luck and the God’s Grace because they are difficult to find because of their rarer genetic mutation. The term clover is referring as a “trifoliate” which means clover leaves are further divided up into three toothed leaflets, but six-leaf, five-leaf, and four-leaf clovers that also seldom originate. Clover is widely accepted and symbolized as luck, faith, hope, and love. Clover refers to trefoils or to any 300 species that fit into the Trifolium family. Clover being a legume, can convert nitrogen into fertilizer by using the bacteria which is present in its roots. Several species of clover are mostly cultivated as fodder plants, and it grows in great range of climates and soils. But in most areas, especially in acidic soil, clover is short-lived because of the combination of diseases, insect’s pests, and nutrient balance, and these negative factors are also known as “clover sickness.” Clover usually grows during winter.
ConclusionAbove discussion concludes that the shamrock is used to refer to the white clover species and is a famous symbol of Ireland which represents the Holy Trinity, whereas clover is used to refer to trefoils or to any 300 species that fit in to the Trifolium family and it represents the luck, God’s Grace, and love.