Nature and biology (phyllotaxis)

Phyllotaxis is the study of how leaves, seeds, or other plant organs are arranged on a stem or branch. This patterning follows specific, often mathematical rules, such as divergence angles that maximize sunlight exposure and space efficiency. These arrangements are driven by inherent biological processes, involving the plant’s growth hormones and cellular development. Understanding phyllotaxis reveals how plants optimize their internal and external structures for survival, illustrating the elegant interplay between biology and mathematics in nature’s design.