Abstract Detail
Anatomy and Morphology Williams, Justin Kirk [1]. Petiole length in Boerhavia (Nyctaginaceae) approximates the Golden Ratio. The leaves of Boerhavia exhibit anisophylly. It is here hypothesized that the scale of the uneven leaves exhibits a determined pattern, rather than an arbitrary difference in size. To test for this, the opposite petioles of Boerhavia diffusa and B. erecta from both regional and local populations were measured and the ratio of the measurements were compared to the Golden Ratio. One-paired T-tests for a critical mean indicate that the ratios of paired petioles for both species are not statically different from the value 1.6180339887... These tests indicate that petiole length in Boerhavia approximates the golden ratio. The significance of this observation is that the Golden Ratio is here expressed as a line segment rather than as a spiral, which is how the Golden Ratio is typically expressed in plant growth. It is here, proposed that the petioles conform to the Golden Ratio in order to circumvent the apical dominance of lateral branching.
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1 - Sam Houston State University, Biological Sciences, p.o. 2116, Huntsville, Tx, 77320, usa
Keywords:
Phyllotaxy
Golden Ratio.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 20, Anatomy and Morphology
Location: Fort Worth Ballroom 7/Omni Hotel
Date: Tuesday, June 27th, 2017
Time: 10:30 AM
Number: 20010
Abstract ID:516
Candidate for Awards:None | 
