This week, we have…

• A fun fact inspired by a recent Metaflora answer

• Answers to last week's games

• Reader survey

Why are four leaf clovers considered lucky?

When someone tells you to make a wish, what’s the first thing you visualise? Perhaps it’s birthday candles, shooting stars, a fallen eyelash - or maybe it’s the elusive four leaf clover (Metaflora answer #348). What makes four leaf clovers so lucky? Approximately one in every ten thousand clovers has four leaves, meaning you’d have to search an area of about 1.2 square metres in order to find one. We know that a four leaf clover is a genetic mutation, but finding out which genes are responsible has proven a mystery. 

While over 300 species of clover exist, the one responsible for four leaf clovers is the white clover. White clovers have four chromosomes, which is double the number found in humans. An in depth study of their DNA reveals that the species tried at one point to split into multiple species, but didn’t succeed, and instead began breeding again with both pairs of chromosomes. That, and the fact that they predominantly breed with other species, makes it difficult to determine which genes came from where. Researchers at a University of Georgia lab ran some studies and found that four leaf clovers were more likely to grow in summer than winter, which may indicate that three leaf clovers are an adaptation to colder weather. However, they are unsure which gene causes the four leaf mutation.

If you’ve ever found a four leaf clover, legend has it that good fortune will befall you, and that you will be protected from evil. Irish mythology says that carrying one allows you to see fairies. And the luck doesn’t stop there! Four leaf clovers are not the only possible clover deviant - five leaf clovers exist and are also considered rare. Clovers have even been discovered with over 50 leaves in some parts of the world! Imagine what you could do with all that luck.

Trivia

Learn more

https://www.wired.com/2015/03/mysterious-genetics-four-leaf-clover/

https://www.rd.com/article/four-leaf-clover/

https://ww2.aip.org/inside-science/shamrock-science-st-patricks-day-symbol-versus-the-four-leaf-clover

Answers to last week's games

Monday, September 9 to Sunday, September 15.

Linxicon

The following are the shortest paths from last week:

• #210 transfer -> redeem -> redemption -> justice

• #211 reject -> eliminated -> detached -> distant

• #212 advertising -> marketing -> medicine -> wound

• #213 since -> when -> where -> store -> sale -> deal

• #214 fact -> fiction -> art -> gallery

• #215 reduce -> mitigate -> protection -> guarantee

• #216 keep -> maintained -> directed -> direction -> angle

• #217 Play now!

Forgeous

Play Forgeous for Sep 16