sunflower

moulin rouge, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

Picture: closeup photo of a sunflower with yellow-reddish petals.

This sunflower is from a seed mix called “Moulin Rouge.” the name charmed me (being a Francophile) to I had to try it out. So far the flowers are quite small compared to the typical Mammoth varieties that I usually grow.

Did you know this?:

“In the head of a sunflower, the tiny florets that turn into seeds are typically arranged in two intersecting families of spirals, one winding clockwise and the other winding counterclockwise. Count the number of florets along a spiral and you are likely to find 21, 34, 55, 89, or 144. Indeed, if 34 floret (or seed) rows curve in one direction, there will be either 21 or 55 rows curving in the other direction.”

This fascinating article explains the mathematical patterns found in sunflowers. Interesting, indeed!