Phyllotaxis

Numerous patterns in nature are made of identical units repeated regularly in space. In plants, the arrangement of leaves and flowers around the stem, known as phyllotaxis, yields striking patterns (Figure 1). The symmetries found in plants reflect two simple geometrical rules: (1) equivalent or nearly equivalent units are added in succession and (2) the position of new units is determined by interactions with the units already in place.

Fig.1: Striking patterns are common in plants. Here, the young apex of an artichoke shows flowers arranged in a classic spiral pattern.

We are developing in collaboration with mathematicians at Smith College dynamical models of phyllotaxis. See the Smith College website for additional information.