Phyllotactic patterns generated by two different irrational divergence angles:
(patterns generated by a Pascal program written by Chad Husby)



A divergence angle of (137.509...º) = 360º/(2.618...) (the 'Golden Angle', based on the ' Golden Section ') produces an efficient packing of primordia.   This divergence angle generates the elegant Fibonacci spiral pattern frequently observed in plants.
A divergence angle of (114.591...º)= (360º/pi) produces a much less efficient packing of primordia.  This is because pi is a less irrational number than the 'Golden Section'!

If you have any comments or questions, please contact the author, Chad Husby ( chad.husby@fiu.edu or husby.1@osu.edu )

© Chad E. Husby 2002

Last modified August 11, 2002

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