Homework:

Look for Fibonacci numbers in fruits, vegetables, flowers, or plants available in your locality.
Write a report about your obtained results.

4 Flowers, Fruit and Leaves

On many plants, the number of petals is a Fibonacci number: buttercups have 5 petals; lilies
and iris have 3 petals; some delphiniums have 8; corn marigolds have 13 petals; some asters
have 21 whereas daisies can be found with 34, 55 or even 89 petals.

3 petals: iris, lily

Mark Taylor, an Australian Hemerocallis and Lilium (lily) grower, points out that while these
appear to have six petals, three are sepals and three are petals. When the flower is in bud, the
sepals provide the flower's outer protection. Many flower photographs on Mark's Barossa
Daylilies web site (opens in a new window) clearly show the distinction between sepals and
petals. Four petals Few plants have four petals (or sepals), although some do. Such as the
fuchsia pictured above. The number four is not a Fibonacci number! Near the bottom of this
page, we'll return to this point. Buttercup, wild rose, larkspur, columbine (aquilegia), and pinks
have five petals (shown above) the common buttercup has been developed to have several
petals. 8 delphinium petals Ragwort, corn marigold, cineraria, and some daisies have 13 petals.
Aster, black-eyed Susan, and chicory are among the 21 petals. 34 Peonies: with a Fibonacci
number as the average when the flower is in bud, the sepals provide the flower's outer
protection. Many flower photographs on Mark's Barossa Daylilies web site (opens in a new
window) clearly show the distinction between sepals and petals. Four petals Few plants have
four petals (or sepals), although some do.