phyllotaxis

[ fil-uh-tak-sis ]

noun

, Botany.

, plural phyl·lo·tax·es [fil-, uh, -, tak, -seez].

1. phyllotaxy.

phyllotaxis

/ ˌfɪləˈtæksɪs /

noun

1. the arrangement of the leaves on a stem
2. the study of this arrangement in different plants

Derived Forms

• ˌphylloˈtactic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of phyllotaxis¹

First recorded in 1870–75; phyllo- + -taxis

Example Sentences

You can use this as a chance to ask your children about their education or lives in general; to discuss recent breakthroughs in phyllotaxis, the study of mathematical patterns in plant life; to compare with friends how many cups of coffee you drink in a day, and when in the day you drink them.

From The Guardian

The appearance of patterns in the phyllotaxis - the arrangement of leaves, stems, seeds or similar - has been studied by many well-known scientists, including Leonardo Da Vinci.

From BBC

Phyllotaxis, or Phyllotaxy, the arrangement of leaves on the stem, 67.

From Project Gutenberg

The cones of Hard Pines, by reason of relatively more and smaller scales and of a more conical form, attain a higher phyllotaxis and a more complex condition, two or even three orders being represented on a single cone; while the cones of Soft Pines, by reason of relatively fewer and larger scales and a more cylindrical form, are of lower phyllotaxis, with one order only more or less definitely presented.

From Project Gutenberg

Four quadrangular scales in mutual contact represent the condition of definite phyllotaxis.

From Project Gutenberg