shamrock vs. clover

shamrock vs. clover: What's the difference?

Shamrock is a general term that refers to a sprig of any of several low, flowering three-leaved plants, including clover and wood sorrel. Clover refers more specifically to a plant in the genus Trifolium and is identifiable by its dense, round flowerheads. Yellow-flowered clover is the national emblem of Ireland, and thus could be considered the classic shamrock. A shamrock has three leaves, though, and is therefore not to be confused with the lucky four-leaf clover!