WOLFRAM|DEMONSTRATIONS PROJECT

A Simple Model for Leaf Placement

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damping percentage
50
steps
11
This Demonstration is a simple model of how leaves are placed on a plant stem. Sections of the cylindrical stem are unrolled into horizontal lines; the stem grows up the page. The red dots are where new leaves start to grow. The concentration of some hypothetical growth chemical is denoted by the curve at the top with varying shades of green. New leaves grow where the concentration of this chemical is the highest (i.e. lightest green) on the stem. This red dot is assumed to decrease the concentration around it, but overall concentration is increased before the next step. For more information, see Details.