52 
PLANT-LORE OF SHAKESPEARE 
at Westminster Flail, but it is now discovered to be of Oak, 
and it is very doubtful whether the Chestnut timber is as 
lasting as it has long been supposed to be. 
The Horse Chestnut was probably unknown to Shakespeare. 
It is an Eastern tree, and in no way related to the true Chest¬ 
nut, and though the name has probably no connection with 
horses or their food, yet it is curious that the petiole has 
(especially when dry) a marked resemblance to a horse’s leg 
and foot, and that both on the parent stem and the petiole 
may be found a very correct representation of a horseshoe 
with its nails. 1 
Clover* 
(1) The even mead, that erst brought sweetly forth 
The freckled Cowslip, Burnet, and green Clover. 
Henry V, v. 2, 4S. 
(2) I will enchant the old Andronicus 
With words more sweet, and yet more dangerous, 
Than baits to fish, or Honey-stalks to sheep. 
When, as the one is wounded with the bait, 
The other rotted with delicious food. 
Titus Andronicus , iv. 4, 89. 
“ Honey-stalks ” are supposed to be the flower of the Clover. 
This seems very probable, but I believe the name is no longer 
applied. Of the Clover there are two points of interest that 
are worth notice. The Clover is one of the plants that claim 
to be the Shamrock of St. Patrick. This is not a settled 
point, and at the present day the Woodsorrel is supposed to 
have the better claim to the honour. But it is certain that the 
Clover is the “clubs” of the pack of cards. “Clover” may 
be a corruption of “ Clava,” a club. In England we paint the 
Clover on our cards and call it “ clubs,” while in France they 
have the same figure, but call it “trefle.” 
1 For an excellent description of the great differences between the 
Spanish and Horse Chestnut, see “Gardener’s Chronicle,” Oct. 29, 1881. 
