Looking over a four-leaf clover

The four-leaf clover is described in some botanical articles as a rare variation of the three-leaf clover.

It is estimated that there are about 10,000 three-leaf clovers for every four-leaf clover. However, there must be exceptions as all the leaves in this photograph came from a single plant.

A Southland gardener found a four-leaf clover, and decided to keep the whole plant and look after it instead of turning it into compost. To his surprise it began to produce multiple four-leaf clovers and now has a special place in his garden. It’s creating a lot of interest.

According to tradition, four-leaf clovers are believed to bring good luck but this theory does not seem to have been scientifically tested. Theories aside though, hunting for four-leaf clovers is great fun and can result in excitement and interest when one is found.

Clovers, like other plants, have many genes which affect leaf colour and shape and it’s now thought that a certain gene reacting with environmental conditions, results in the development of the four-leaves. In fact there are now said to be farms in America that are specialising in four-leaf clovers and these farms are producing as many as 10,000 four -leaf clovers a day. The leaves are sealed in plastic and sold as ‘‘lucky charms.’’

If four-leaf clovers are said to be ‘‘lucky,’’ what about the rather shriveled leaf in this photograph? It has five leaves! In some countries, collectors of four-leaf clovers regard a five-leaf clover as a particular prize. Such a leaf is called a rose clover. It doesn’t stop there. In exceptional cases, clovers have been found with six or more leaves.