Phyllotaxis, a model

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new model for plant leaf arrangement patterns based on signaling pathways and ligand interactions, successfully reproducing various known phyllotactic patterns including Fibonacci and whorls.

Contribution

It presents a novel plant pattern algorithm explaining the emergence of diverse phyllotactic arrangements through signaling pathway interactions.

Findings

Reproduces all known phyllotactic patterns

Demonstrates spontaneous pattern formation from zero receptor activation

Unifies various patterns under a single model

Abstract

A model of the regular arrangement of leaves on a plant stem (phyllotactic patterns) is proposed, based on a new plant pattern algorithm. Tripartite patterning is proposed to occur by the interaction of two signaling pathways. Each pathway produces stimulated extracellular emission of like ligand upon activation of its respective receptor, as well as inhibiting such emission from the other pathway. Patterns arise spontaneously from zero density of activated receptor. All known phyllotactic patterns are reproduced, Fibonacci, distichous, decussate, and whorls, as well as the rare monostichy, with only one leaf directly above the previous.