oxalis acetocella

1 definition found

oxalis acetocella - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Shamrock \Sham"rock\, n. [L. seamrog, seamar, trefoil, white
     clover, white honeysuckle; akin to Gael. seamrag.] (Bot.)
     A trifoliate plant used as a national emblem by the Irish.
     The legend is that St. Patrick once plucked a leaf of it for
     use in illustrating the doctrine of the trinity.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The original plant was probably a kind of wood sorrel
           (Oxalis Acetocella); but now the name is given to the
           white clover (Trifolium repens), and the black medic
           (Medicago lupulina).
           [1913 Webster]