Journal
MathematicsCuriosity

The pattern hiding in sunflowers

Fibonacci numbers, growing in nature.

JM

Jordi Miralles

21 Jul 2026

Count the spirals on a sunflower head or a pinecone and you'll often find Fibonacci numbers: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21…

Each number is the sum of the two before it. Plants pack their seeds using the related golden angle, which fills space with remarkable efficiency.

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