What is the Difference Between Alternate and Whorled Phyllotaxy?

The difference between alternate and whorled phyllotaxy lies in the arrangement of leaves on a plant stem. Phyllotaxy is the arrangement of leaves on the stem of a plant, and there are different types, including alternate, opposite, whorled, and spiral phyllotaxies.

• Alternate Phyllotaxy: In this type, leaves are arranged in an alternate fashion, meaning that only one leaf arises from a single node on the plant stem. This is the most common type of leaf arrangement in plants and can be seen in plants like Hibiscus syricus and Helianthus.
• Whorled Phyllotaxy: In this type, two or more leaves arise from a single node on the plant stem. This arrangement is relatively uncommon and is seen in plants like Macadamia and Barbejum stellatifolium. Whorled phyllotaxy is sometimes observed in plants with short internodes.

In summary, the key difference between alternate and whorled phyllotaxy is that in alternate phyllotaxy, there is a single leaf at each node of the plant stem, while in whorled phyllotaxy, there are two or more leaves at each node of the plant stem.

Comparative Table: Alternate vs Whorled Phyllotaxy

Here is a table comparing the difference between alternate and whorled phyllotaxy:

In alternate phyllotaxy, only one leaf arises from a single node, while in whorled phyllotaxy, two or more leaves arise from a single node. Alternate phyllotaxy is the most common type of leaf arrangement in plants, whereas whorled phyllotaxy is a less common arrangement.