A Conversation for The Sunflower
Fibonacci Sequences,
BigAl Patron Saint of Left Handers Keeper of the Glowing Pickle and Monobrows Started conversation Feb 20, 2007
Hi GB,
You say that,
‘…Interestingly, some sunflowers have 89 petals, which is a Fibonacci sequence number (a figure formed by adding consecutive numbers from zero’
This makes it seem somewhat coincidental. In fact, sunflower heads contain Fibonacci sequences exactly.
Most sunflower heads contain 34 and 55 spiral (two consectutive F.N.’s!!!), one going one direction and one going the other. If not that , then they may contain 21 and 34 together, or maybe 55 and 89. All these numbers are adjacent members of the Fibonacci series: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,89,... Amazingly, in biology, one doesn't get near approximations – i.e. you won’t find 34 spirals one way and 57 the other.
Fibonacci Sequences,
Galaxy Babe - eclectic editor Posted Feb 21, 2007
It's amazing, isn't it? I was more astonished by the radiation-soaking ability. Nature blows my mind. I learned so much by researching this entry, believe it or not I was inspired by a photo which was submitted by one of the Photographers, we couldn't find an entry to fit it, so I wrote this. 
The Eds put the pic on so we can't use the original, but never mind.
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