What makes Romanesco broccoli so mathematically perfect?

[marmar]

What makes Romanesco broccoli so mathematically perfect?
An ancient mathematical concept may explain the strange beauty behind this enchanting vegetable

By MATTHEW ROZSA
FEBRUARY 10, 2021 12:00AM




(Salon) In terms of taste, broccoli is a divisive vegetable. But visually, you would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't find Romanesco broccoli aesthetically beautiful.

You've probably stopped to gawk at it at the produce aisle before: Romanesco broccoli — or "Romanesco" for short — is a breed of broccoli that looks like a giant green bloom, with flowers in weirdly perfect geometric patterns that self-repeat as you zoom in. It is the nautilus shell of vegetables: a perfect, ever-repeating spiral that resurfaces again and again. As a late fall and winter vegetable, it is found in most grocery stores around the United States this time of year, mesmerizing shoppers with its stunning patterns.

Those patterns are called fractals, and they are key to understanding Romanesco broccoli.

"A fractal is a shape or structure that is the same as itself at different scales," Edmund O. Harriss, mathematics professor at the University of Arkansas, wrote to Salon. "In other words, as you zoom in you see the same (or sometimes related) structure."

In the natural world, plants sometimes approximate these self-repeating structures. Many ferns, for instance, have leaves which exhibit fractal architecture. Pinecones, spiral nautilus shells, and ice crystals all have self-repeating patterns as well. ..........(more)

https://www.salon.com/2021/02/09/what-makes-romanesco-broccoli-so-mathematically-perfect/

[Towlie]

1. Seems like something for the DU Lounge.

 
?

Especially today, with the impeachment trial on everyone's mind.

I'm just sayin'.

DU Lounge

[marmar]

3. I'm not new here. But thanks.

[MineralMan]

5. This Is the General Discussion Forum.

You can skip any thread that doesn't interest you here.

[tblue37]

2. Pretty. I've never seen it in real life.

[Eyeball_Kid]

4. They're amazing. I buy them just to LOOK AT THEM. Cooking them seems like a loss. n/t

[crickets]

6. They look so neat! I've never seen them in the store.

How does the flavor compare to more traditional broccoli?

[Native]

7. I'd love to know how they compare too.

[ProfessorGAC]

8. Fractals Are Cool!

I read a book on them in the 80s. Fascinating math.

[electric_blue68]

9. I already knew about fractals, including the Mandlebrot Set so when...

my mom brought one home from the Green Market
I practically squealed with with delight! I'd never
heard of or seen one before!

Thanks for bringing back a fun memory.

I think it might have been a little milder in taste, but
not sure.