How mathematics is embedded in a plant? (2023)

How is mathematics embedded in plants?

Math. The arrangement of leaves on a plant is called phyllotaxis. Some plants arrange their leaves in a whorl, as shown in the picture above. Remarkably, the position of these whorled leaves on the stem can be often be predicted by a mathematical formula called the Fibonacci series.

A few examples include the number of spirals in a pine cone, pineapple or seeds in a sunflower, or the number of petals on a flower. The numbers in this sequence also form a a unique shape known as a Fibonacci spiral, which again, we see in nature in the form of shells and the shape of hurricanes.

In the case of sunflowers, Fibonacci numbers allow for the maximum number of seeds on a flower head, so the flower uses its space to optimal effect. As the individual seeds grow, the centre of the seed head can add new seeds, pushing those at the perimeter to the outside so that growth can continue indefinitely.

Math by Planting

That's right, these little seed packets usually have numbers on them. From counting seeds, measuring soil and seed depth, or simply measuring the distance between seeds for planting— you are using math. As plants emerge, children can measure their growth and chart the development over time.

The arrangement of a plant's leaves along the stem is phyllotaxis (from ancient Greek, phýllon "leaf" and táxis "arrangement"). Mathematically, spiral phyllotaxis follows a Fibonacci sequence, such as 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc. Each subsequent number is the sum of the two preceding ones.

Sunflowers are more than just beautiful food -- they're also a mathematical marvel. The pattern of seeds within a sunflower follows the Fibonacci sequence, or 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144...1 If you remember back to math class, each number in the sequence is the sum of the previous two numbers.

A tree is a mathematical structure that can be viewed as either a graph or as a data structure. The two views are equivalent, since a tree data structure contains not only a set of elements, but also connections between elements, giving a tree graph. Trees were first studied by Cayley (1857).

It is in the objects we create, in the works of art we admire. Although we may not notice it, mathematics is also present in the nature that surrounds us, in its landscapes and species of plants and animals, including the human species. Our attraction to other humans and even our mobility depend on it.

Mathematics seeks to discover and explain abstract patterns or regularities of all kinds. Visual patterns in nature find explanations in chaos theory, fractals, logarithmic spirals, topology and other mathematical patterns. For example, L-systems form convincing models of different patterns of tree growth.

Plants have a built-in capacity to do maths, which helps them regulate food reserves at night, research suggests. UK scientists say they were "amazed" to find an example of such a sophisticated arithmetic calculation in biology.

Why do plants have patterns?

The current consensus is that the movements of the growth hormone auxin and the proteins that transport it throughout a plant are responsible for such patterns.

Flowers, and nature in general, exhibit mathematical patterns in a number of ways. Once you start noticing the patterns, you can pick them out in nearly every species. In this article you will learn about petal symmetry and how the fibonacci sequence creates spirals in nature.

Science can be interwoven throughout the gardening experience. In addition to opportunities to talk about soil with all the nutrients it offers, explore the beneficial insects it houses. Sift through a shovelful of dirt to find worms or other ground dwellers; look at them under a hand lens or microscope.

We often don't think about math when we see a leaf from a tree. However, we can see math in fractals found in leaves and many other natural elements. A fractal is a never-ending geometric pattern.

Fibonacci numbers, for instance, can often be found in the arrangement of leaves around a stem. This maximises the space for each leaf and can be found in the closely packed leaves of succulents as well as cabbages, which have a similar 'golden spiral' formation to the rose – another Fibonacci favourite.

A tree is a mathematical structure that can be viewed as either a graph or as a data structure. The two views are equivalent, since a tree data structure contains not only a set of elements, but also connections between elements, giving a tree graph. Trees were first studied by Cayley (1857).

On many plants, the number of petals is a Fibonacci number: buttercups have 5 petals; lilies and iris have 3 petals; some delphiniums have 8; corn marigolds have 13 petals; some asters have 21 whereas daisies can be found with 34, 55 or even 89 petals.

Why do plants have patterns?

The current consensus is that the movements of the growth hormone auxin and the proteins that transport it throughout a plant are responsible for such patterns.

Common leaf arrangement patterns are distichous (regular 180 degrees, bamboo), Fibonacci spiral (regular 137.5 degrees, the succulent Graptopetalum paraguayense), decussate (regular 90 degrees, the herb basil), and tricussate (regular 60 degrees, Nerium oleander sometimes known as dogbane).

We often don't think about math when we see a leaf from a tree. However, we can see math in fractals found in leaves and many other natural elements. A fractal is a never-ending geometric pattern. In a fractal, a pattern is repeated in the same way, appearing as smaller and smaller versions.

In graph theory, a tree is an undirected graph in which any two vertices are connected by exactly one path, or equivalently a connected acyclic undirected graph.

Define tree(n), the weak tree function, as the length of the longest sequence of 1-labelled trees (i.e. X = {1}) such that: The tree at position k in the sequence has no more than k + n vertices, for all k. No tree is homeomorphically embeddable into any tree following it in the sequence.