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TRIDUBIRE looks to assess the genetic diversity and evolutionary history of populations of the shamrock, Trifolium dubium, across Ireland.
The association of the shamrock with St. Patrick, comes the from the myth that St. Patrick used the shamrock as a visual aid to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity to Irish pagans. The shamrock’s significance, however, predates Christianity. For the Druids and ancient Irish, the shamrock, with its trifoliate leaves, symbolised the sacred number three, which had mystical associations with various deities in Celtic mythology.
Today, the shamrock is a national symbol of Ireland and is used in various state symbols, logos, and emblems, representing Irish identity on the international stage.
However, surveys conducted over the years, including those by Nathaniel Colgan in 1893 and E. Charles Nelson in 1988, indicate that the majority of Irish people consider the lesser trefoil, Trifolium dubium, to be the “true shamrock”. (1-3) T. dubium remains the species most commonly grown commercially as “shamrock” and is particularly popular in the run up to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
| Shamrock Survey Results | |||
| Species | Common name | 1893 result (%) | 1988 result (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trifolium dubium | Lesser trefoil | 51 | 46 |
| Trifolium repens | White clover | 34 | 35 |
| Trifolium pratense | Red clover | 6 | 4 |
| Medicago lupulina | Black medick | 6 | 7 |
| Oxalis acetosella | Wood sorrel | _ | 3 |
| Other | 3 | 5 | |
| Source: Wikipedia (4) | |||
T. dubium is a small yellow-flowered annual clover. Despite its notoriety as the shamrock, it is not only found in Ireland. T. dubium is native to Western Eurasia and can be found more widely as an introduced species in temperate regions across the globe. The species prefers well-drained soils and can often be spotted growing in grasslands, along roadsides, and in other disturbed areas. T. dubium produces small, yellow flowers that bloom from May to August in the Northern hemisphere.
T. dubium helps sustain the ecosystems in which it is found. The species provides ground cover, preventing soil erosion and, as a legume, is capable of nitrogen fixation, naturally improving soil fertility. T. dubium's flowers attract pollinators, contributing to the health of pollinator populations.
T. dubium is part of the broader Trifolium (clover) genus, which includes many species with significant agricultural value, such as:
TRIDUBIRE aims to assess the genetic diversity within and between Irish populations of T. dubium, offering insights into the species’ adaptive potential amidst environmental changes. As part of this, we will sample from both mainland and outlying island populations, evaluating gene flow and assessing population connectivity.
To achieve this, samples of T. dubium will be collected across Ireland and a pool-seq (pooled sequencing) approach implemented, where the DNA of multiple individuals will be sequenced together as single pool per sample collection site.
TRIDUBIRE will offer essential data for future monitoring and conservation efforts. By providing a genetic baseline for T. dubium in Ireland, the project will enable the tracking of changes in genetic diversity over time, identifying potential threats from environmental changes, and ultimately guiding conservation strategies to preserve this culturally significant species. Additionally, this study can serve as a model for other widespread but ecologically significant species, demonstrating the utility of genomic methods in conservation and agriculture.
Our team is made up of a group of researchers affiliated with University College Dublin (UCD).
Katie Herron
PhD Student (UCD)
: @kherronism
Graham Hughes
Assistant Professor (UCD)
: @GrahamMHughes
Ann Mc Cartney
Assistant Researcher (University of Santa Cruz, California (UCSC))
Adjunct Assistant Professor (UCD)
: @CartneyAnn
For any questions relating to the project, we ask you to kindly contact us via the project email (tridubire@gmail.com).
This project has received funding from the European Union under the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, co-funded by the Swiss Government and the British Government.
: @REA_research, @SBFI_CH, @ISBSIB, @EUgreenresearch
: European Research Executive Agency (REA)
