Four-leaf clover

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A four-leaf clover
A four-leaf clover

The four-leaf clover is an uncommon variation of the common three-leaf clover. Children have often looked for four-leaf clovers, which, according to tradition, bring good luck to their finders.

Clovers can have more than four leaves. The most leaves ever found on record is eighteen.[1] It has been estimated that there are approximately 10,000 three-leaf clovers for every four-leaf clover. [2]

According to legend, each leaf represents something: the first is for hope, the second is for faith, the third is for love, and the fourth is for luck.[1]

It is debated whether the fourth leaf is caused genetically or environmentally. Its rarity suggests a possible recessive gene appearing at a low frequency. Alternatively, four-leaf clovers could be caused by somatic mutation or a developmental error of environmental causes. They could also be caused by the interaction of several genes that happen to segregate in the individual plant. It is possible all four explanations could apply to individual cases.

Certain companies grow four-leaf clovers using different means. Some species are misleadingly sold as "four-leaf clovers"[citation needed]; for example, Oxalis tetraphylla, a species of wood sorrel with leaves resembling four-leaf clovers.

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[edit] References

  1. ^ Guinness Book of World Records
  2. ^ http://ask.yahoo.com/ask/20050531.html
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