Fibonacci Numbers Appear Throughout Nature

Why do so many plants seem to "count" using this specific mathematical sequence? The answer lies in efficiency and optimal growth. For a sunflower, arranging its seeds in spirals based on Fibonacci numbers is the most compact way to pack them, ensuring no space is wasted and each seed is a uniform size. This pattern, known as phyllotaxis, also helps leaves on a stem arrange themselves so that new leaves don't block the sun from older ones, maximizing light for photosynthesis. It’s not a conscious calculation by the plant, but a natural outcome of hormonal growth processes that favor the most stable and efficient arrangement.

This phenomenon is intrinsically linked to the golden ratio. While popularized in the West by 13th-century mathematician Leonardo of Pisa, or Fibonacci, the sequence's relationship with nature stems from this irrational number. As you move up the sequence, the ratio between two consecutive numbers (e.g., 8/5, 13/8, 21/13) gets progressively closer to approximately 1.618. This ratio dictates the "golden angle" of about 137.5 degrees, which is the ideal angle of rotation for new growth like leaves or seeds. By following this simple rule, plants naturally produce the complex and beautiful Fibonacci spirals we see all around us, from the scales of a pineapple to the petals of a rose.