Phyllotaxis

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Phyllotaxis

PHYLLOTAXIS

What do sunflowers, daisies, and pineapples have in common?
Design a wildflower (technically an inflorescent) using different colors, floret width and spacing. Count the clockwise spirals. Then count the counter-clockwise spirals.

The Sunflower has these properties:
Floret Width = 5
Floret Space = 8
Spirals Clockwise = 34
Spirals Counter-Clockwise = 55

ASSIGNMENT

Read the article on Plant Phyllotaxis.
Then browse the exhibit in the Botanic Garden at Smith College.
Google on Fibonacci Phyllotaxis Plants to find more plants.
Pick a plant with clockwise and counter-clockwise spirals described by Fibonacci numbers.
These numbers are called the plant's parastichy numbers.
Which plant did you pick? Do not pick a sunflower!
Tell me the Fibonacci numbers of the clockwise spirals.
Tell me the Fibonacci numbers of the counter-clockwise spirals.
Play with the Floret and Spacing numbers till your plant has those numbers of spirals.
Count the spirals clockwise. Count the spirals counter-clockwise. I will count them too.
Change the colors of your plant. They must differ from the sunflower colors !!!!!!!!!!!
Use hexadecimal numbers to approximate the colors of the plant.
Label your drawing with the name of your plant.
Email your instructor a gif image of your drawing.
Does it look like Van Gogh understood Fibonacci patterns in his sunflower paintings?

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Last Modified 12/10/08 9:25 AM