In the search to the true character of phyllotaxis, we first do two steps backwards. One step helps us to realize that physiologic patterns are related with chemical/ physical/ mathematical ones. The other step helps to understand the distinction between phyllotaxis and differentiation.

Many patterns that we recognize around us have been formed by living organisms, or at least living matter. But now, concider this experiment: Between two dry - or wet - sheets of glass, press an oilpaint drop. Separeate the sheets quickly - or gently - and patterns like these arise.