Do Plants Know Math? book, published by Princeton University Press delves into one of nature’s most captivating mysteries: the presence of Fibonacci spirals and other mathematical patterns in plants. From pinecones and sunflowers to cabbages, these patterns have enchanted great minds for centuries, including Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Darwin, and Alan Turing. Darwin himself, baffled by plant spirals, famously pleaded with a friend to explain their secrets, calling it a matter of life and death.

This fascinating book narrates the scientific journey through centuries of inquiry by physicists, mathematicians, and biologists, seeking answers to why these alluring patterns occur. It introduces a compelling new geometrical solution, rarely discussed outside of specialized circles, that sheds light on the regular and irregular spirals found in botanical forms. Alongside Fibonacci spirals, the book explores related phenomena, including fractal geometries and the intricate folding of leaves within buds.

Readers are invited to not only learn but also experience these patterns. The book includes hundreds of stunning color images, hands-on activities, and even recipes inspired by spiral plants, making the exploration both educational and deeply engaging. This visually rich and intellectually stimulating work promises to transform how you see the natural world, revealing the hidden mathematical elegance of plants.

The authors bring diverse expertise to the topic: Stéphane Douady, a CNRS silver medalist, has spent three decades studying plant patterns at Paris Cité University; Jacques Dumais investigates plant-inspired technologies in Chile; Christophe Golé leads the Plant Math Lab at Smith College; and Nancy Pick, a renowned science writer, adds narrative depth to this scientific exploration.

Do Plants Know Math? is a celebration of the natural world’s intricate design and a testament to the enduring human quest to uncover its secrets.