Fibonacci

Offshoots of the Meristem

Branches grow from the meristem. Here is a picture from a scanning electron microscope. The magnification is high enough that you can see the individual cells. The photograph shows the stem apical meristem (SAM) generating several floral meristems (FM). The order of growth is indicated by the size, with older growths being larger than newer ones. See how the growths are at a regular angle from each other and the newest FM grows at the place which provides the greatest free space for growth.