Where Else Do We Observe The Fibonacci sequence In Nature

 

Last time we saw how someone used the Fibonacci sequence to improve his solar energy design since it appears in tree in addition to flowers.  The Fibonacci sequence is one that is found all over the place in nature, so I thought I'd share where else we see it.

Some of the most recognizable representatives of the Fibonacci sequence in nature are in a spiral shape such as a certain snail shells and the nautilus but there are others. 

Let's start with flowers because individual flowers can display the Fibonacci sequence in a couple of ways.  First, with the number of petals for the lily with three, the buttercup with five, chicory with 21, or the daisy with 34.  Each petal is 0.618034 per rotation for maximum use of sunlight, just like with trees. The other way is with the centers or seed heads and the way they spiral such as in the sunflower. The seeds are produced in the center of the flower where they migrate outwards as they fill in the center. 

Another seed that shows this pattern are pinecones as they spiral out from the center.  Actually pinecones use two spirals going upwards in opposite directions such as 3 steps along the right and 5 steps along the left, meeting at the back.  Next time you are out, walking around pine trees, pick up a pinecone and check it out. In addition, the 0.618034 turn can be observed in certain aloe and other cactus plants because each segment is that much further on. The growth pattern spirals just go round and round and round.A beautiful example of the Fibonacci sequence is found in the romanesque broccoli where each spiral is made up of the sequence and tastes so good.  

Now for some not so common examples.  If you look at hurricanes on the weather channel it shows a beautiful spiral consistent with the Fibonacci sequence. Look at most spiral galaxies in space and note the pattern, it is perfect to match the sequence.  If you check the ovary of an angle fish or look at how cancer cells divide, you'll see the same spiral or map the spiral onto a chicken egg, it matches up beautifully 

Back to your nature walk. Look for a chameleon and check out how it's tail spirals, or the way an American millipede curls up or the way a Pangolin curls or even the way a fiddlehead fern spirals.  All of these follow the Fibonacci sequence. 

There are examples that are not nature. You can find examples in the art world with  the "Great Wave Off Kanagawa" by Katsushika Hokusai.  The Fibonacci sequence is found in the curl and wave in the painting but it is not the only piece of art this is true for.   Then there is the person who applied the Fibonacci sequence to the population density and land mass of Africa to show the population density matched the sequence around the landmass.  Finally, the spiral patterns found in fingerprints also follows the sequence. 

So basically everywhere in the world, we can find the Fibonacci sequence.  Have fun looking for it the next time you take a walk, check out art, look at your fingerprint but have fun.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.