Purple Star Amaryllis - Symmetry in Nature 0016
Perhaps no other flowers or plants or other "group" in nature exhibits symmetry than cacti and succulents. I have several examples, but for today I'll start with the spherical Purple Star Amaryllis.
Prior to finding this amaryllis, I always thought the most symmetrical flower was the Scabiosa stellata pod (see below). I also thought that the most common geometric pattern was the five-pointed star. Certainly, five petaled flowers seem to take first prize. Now, except for the new fascination with fractals and the marvelous complexity of the structures in nature that keeps me occupied, does it really matter? ... Maybe it does.
Do yourself a favor, and look up "Patterns in Nature." The first sentence is just beginnings of the study of fractals...
"Symmetry is pervasive in living things. Animals mainly have bilateral or mirror symmetry, as do the leaves of plants and some flowers such as orchids. Plants often have radial or rotational symmetry, as do many flowers and some groups of animals such as sea anemones. Fivefold symmetry is found in the echinoderms, the group that includes starfish, sea urchins, and sea lilies." From there go to everything from snowflakes to planets!
Purple Star Amaryllis - Symmetry in Nature 0016
Perhaps no other flowers or plants or other "group" in nature exhibits symmetry than cacti and succulents. I have several examples, but for today I'll start with the spherical Purple Star Amaryllis.
Prior to finding this amaryllis, I always thought the most symmetrical flower was the Scabiosa stellata pod (see below). I also thought that the most common geometric pattern was the five-pointed star. Certainly, five petaled flowers seem to take first prize. Now, except for the new fascination with fractals and the marvelous complexity of the structures in nature that keeps me occupied, does it really matter? ... Maybe it does.
Do yourself a favor, and look up "Patterns in Nature." The first sentence is just beginnings of the study of fractals...
"Symmetry is pervasive in living things. Animals mainly have bilateral or mirror symmetry, as do the leaves of plants and some flowers such as orchids. Plants often have radial or rotational symmetry, as do many flowers and some groups of animals such as sea anemones. Fivefold symmetry is found in the echinoderms, the group that includes starfish, sea urchins, and sea lilies." From there go to everything from snowflakes to planets!