The book has three parts of equal importance. The first two parts concern data collecting, pattern recognition and pattern generation to which students of phyllotaxis are well accustomed. The third part is devoted to the problem of origins of phyllotactic patterns, giving the field of phyllotaxis the universality it requires to be fully understood.

Phyllotaxis-like patterns are found in places where genes are not necessarily present. Part III concerns general comparative morphology, homologies with phyllotactic patterns, and recent trends on evolution that can help to understand phyllotaxis.

The distinguished researchers who accepted to participate in the production of this book, strongly contributed to the field of phyllotaxis in the past and have devoted a lot of their time to the fascinating subject coming up with most valuable findings, or are newcomers with original ideas that may be very relevant for the future of the field. The book summarizes and updates their contributions, and promotes new avenues in the treatment of phyllotaxis.

This book on mathematical and biological phyllotaxis is the first collective book ever. A landmark in the history of phyllotaxis.

Contents:

• Prologue by a Mathematician: The Role of Mathematics in Phyllotaxis (I Adler)
• Prologue by a Botanist: Phyllotactic Symmetry in Plant Growth (R O Erickson)
• Prologue by a Molecular Geneticist: The Role of Homoetic Genes and of Molecular Mimicry in the Determination of Plant and Animal Symmetries (A Lima-de-Faria)
• Prologue by a Crystallographer: Phyllotaxis (A L Mackay)
• Systems of Phyllotaxis in the Genus Eucalyptus in Relation to Shoot Architecture (D J Carr)
• Pendulum Symmetry (W A Charlton)
• The Physiological Basis of Pattern Generation in the Sunflower (J H Palmer)
• The Selection of Phyllotactic Patterns (S Douady)
• Phyllotaxis as a Geometrical and Dynamical System (A-J Koch et al.)
• The Role and Importance of Vertical Spacing at the Plant Apex in Determining Phyllotactic Pattern (W W Schwabe)
• Elementary Rules of Growth in Phyllotaxis (R V Jean)
• Uniform Spacing Models for the Morphogenesis of High Symmetry Biological Structures: Icosahedral Capsids, Coaxial Helices, and Helical Phyllotaxis (C J Marzec)
• Light Harvesting "Fitness Landscapes" for Vertical Shoots with Different Phyllotactic Patterns (K J Niklas)
• On the Origin of Symmetry, Branching and Phyllotaxis in Land Plants (R Sattler)
• and other chapters

"An extensive Subject Index and an Index of the cited authors round off this interesting book on the symmetry of plants which contains valuable information not only for the botanist. The different topics are well treated and will stimulate the exchange of ideas between the scientists working in this interdisciplinary field of research ... The fairly low price should guarantee a wide distribution among plant biologists."