Phyllotaxis, the study of the patterns exhibited by leaves and other organs of plants, raises some of the deepest questions of plant morphogenesis. What principles of biological organisation produce these dynamical geometric systems? The constant occurrence of the Fibonacci sequence in such systems is a phenomenon that has fascinated botanists and mathematicians for centuries. In this book, first published in 1994, the many facets of phyllotaxis are dealt with in an integrated manner for the first time. The author describes a unified concept of phyllotaxis based on experimental, anatomical, cellular, physiological and paleontological observations. The book provides a framework for formal analyses of botanical data and emphasises the relevance of the phyllotactic paradigm in the study of other structures, such as crystals and proteins. It is of interest to cystallographers and physicists as well as to botanists and mathematicians.

"...an invaluable guide to the literature. For the beginning student it provides a clear introduction to the known facts, the basic concepts, and the questions to be answered." Irving Adler

"...a marvelous little book..." Nature

"...Roger Jean presents an overview of these fascinating phenomena and their roots in a new book that should interest biologists, mathematicians and historians of science....Jean untangles this confused web and provides an integrated approach to the description and mathematical study of phyllotactic spirals." Thomas J. Givnish, Science

"...The book is written quite clearly with careful definitions and illustrations, a very helpful glossary, and a logical organization of the vast material...Jean has succeeded in the paradoxical task of writin g a book which is simultaneously at the forefront, and therefore useful to researcgers, yet comprehensible to those with little mathematical or botanical background...the study of this classic problem in mathmatical biology, which is so well and thoroughly presented in this book, is of interest to pure and applied mathematicians, physicists, chemists, and engineers--as well as to botanists." Sharon Lubkin, Bulle tin of Mathematical Biology

"...provocatively and beautifully written...this book will doubtless become a classic." L.W. Roberts, Choice

"...especially well done, with a careful description of the mathematical basis needed to describe phyllotaxic patterns and a large number of examples...an important book for the mathematical biologist or anyone whose research interests involve geometrical aspects of plant structure. It is an excellent primer for description and methods of generation of phyllotaxic patterns...specialists will want to buy the book..." Thomas Herbert, Plant Science Bulletin