Clover tongue refers to the ability to roll one’s tongue into three distinct lobes, resembling a cloverleaf shape. This trait is believed to be inherited as a dominant simple Mendelian trait. In a typical population, approximately 90% of individuals can roll their tongues in some way, while around 25% cannot achieve this clover tongue shape.
The inheritance of this trait is a classic example used in genetics to demonstrate how certain physical characteristics can be passed down through generations. Those who can roll their tongues are usually considered the ‘dominant’ individuals, meaning that they have inherited the genetic variant responsible for this ability from either one or both parents. Conversely, individuals who cannot roll their tongues into a clover shape often carry the ‘recessive’ trait. This leads to interesting discussions about genetics, heritability, and how traits can vary within a population.