North Branch Land Trust
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For Immediate Release

Clovers and Conservation

By Nick Splain

Have you ever set out on an adventure to find the coveted plant which everyone wishes to have the luck to find at least once in their lives? Or wondered how they appear in lawns and fields?

Clovers are a common species throughout North America, but nothing is more prized than finding a four-leaf clover amongst a sea of green. Even after Saint Patrick’s Day, it is interesting to look at the origins of the four-leaf clover and how it became such a rare find. Whether you are out searching in a field or as close as your backyard, the opportunities are endless for where they can be found. In fact, it has been calculated that for every 10,000 clovers there are 1 to 2 four-leaf clovers.

While often confused with a shamrock around this time of year, both plants represent a sense of good luck to those who find them. Dating way back to Irish history, the clover has been a symbol of good luck and fortune for those who find the aura-filled plant. This began with the Celtic priests known as the Druids who thought the clover protected them from bad luck.

While posing a threat to open fields as invasive species which prevents the growth of other plants, clovers present many ways in which they can improve not only lawns, but also the surrounding areas which prevail.

Some notable benefits to lawns include:

• Clover acts as a natural lawn fertilizer as it feeds nitrogen into the soil
• Less frequent mowing is required due to slow growth periods
• Drought-resistant – deep, extensive root system which requires less water
• Effective in weed removal – dense roots take up space which could be occupied by invasives
• Attracts insects including bees which help facilitate pollination in gardens

The rare “lucky” clover itself comes from a genetic mutation where the four-leaf trait is recessive, meaning that it will only form if all four chromosomes have the trait. Interestingly, this theory is still being tested and has yet to form a full report on what goes into making a four-leaf clover. For those setting out on a journey to find the majestic clover, it is suggested that you do so during the spring months when everything is growing, and the leaves begin to get their green. While natural in color and growth, the clovers themselves present exciting features which many people may not know about.

From Emma Thompson, Senior Director of Conservation and Operations at NBLT, “Introducing clover into a lawn is a great way to reduce the amount of mowing needed and help add some wildlife value back into your yard. Traditional lawns have very little biodiversity and do not offer food or shelter to native animals. Adding clover can help to enhance the habitat of a lawn.”

Fun Facts about Clovers

The fourth leaf on the clover is often darker and smaller than the other leaves due to the mutation.

There are over 300 species of clovers around the world, but two of the more prominent native species in Pennsylvania include the Buffalo clover and the mountain clover.

The four-leaf clover is known as an allotetraploid, meaning that it has four sets of chromosomes in its genetic make-up.

Adding clover to livestock pastures boosts the amount of crude protein for grazers to eat.

Clovers are edible if they are not covered with pesticides, herbicides, or other lawn chemicals.