Fibonacci spirals
Context:
- Fibonacci spirals are regarded to be an ancient and highly conserved characteristic that has lasted in its current forms since the earliest stages of plant life since they are so common in modern plants. This is disputed by a new study that is based on fossils that are 407 million years old.
About:
- These botanical characteristics are all related by the fact that they are all arranged in spirals that follow the Fibonacci sequence of numbers.
- Fibonacci spirals are extremely prevalent in nature and have long fascinated experts, such as Charles Darwin and Leonardo da Vinci.
- It is believed that Fibonacci spirals represent an ancient and well-conserved characteristic that dates back to the earliest stages of plant evolution and has persisted in its current forms because they are so prevalent in modern plants.
- But the most recent research we have conducted contradicts this claim. Surprisingly, scientists recently discovered that not all spirals in this particular species of fossilised plant followed this standard when they examined the spirals in the leaves and reproductive organs of a fossilised plant that is 407 million years old.
- Nowadays, only a very small percentage of plants do not exhibit a Fibonacci pattern.
The spirals of Fibonacci
- Spirals frequently appear in nature and can be seen in things like animal shells, plant leaves, and even the double helix of our DNA.
- Each number in the Fibonacci sequence is the sum of the two numbers that came before it (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, and so on). These spirals are typically connected to this sequence.
- These patterns can also be seen without the use of a magnifying glass in plants.
- Initially, spirals might only be discernible in one direction. However, if you pay close attention, you can spot spirals that rotate both clockwise and anticlockwise.
- 97% of the 6,000 pinecones analysed in the study had Fibonacci spirals.
- Fibonacci spirals are not just found in pine cones. They are frequently seen in the leaves and flowers of plants as well.
- Because they are so common in living plant species, Fibonacci spirals have long been thought to be ancient and highly conserved in all plant species.
- In contrast, non-Fibonacci spirals were shown to be the most frequent configuration in a study.
- It is incredible to find non-Fibonacci spirals in such an old fossil given how uncommon they are in living plant species today.
Individual evolutionary histories:
- These findings modify our understanding of Fibonacci spirals in terrestrial plants.
- They contend that non-Fibonacci spirals were present in the earliest clubmosses, which casts doubt on the belief that all leafy plants evolved with leaves that initially followed the Fibonacci pattern.
- Additionally, it suggests that the evolution of leaves and Fibonacci spirals in clubmosses was distinct from that of other existing plant families, such as ferns, conifers, and flowering plants.
- It suggests that various Fibonacci spirals manifested themselves repeatedly throughout the course of plant evolution.
Conclusion:
- Knowing about this effort would help with the general understanding of plant evolution and its characteristics.
