Cauliflower fractal forms arise from perturbations of floral gene networks

Vegetal fractals Cauliflower, along with dahlias and daisies, develop as phyllotactic spirals. Azpeitia et al . combined modeling with experimental investigation to clarify the gene-regulatory network that sets up a multitude of undeveloped flowers to form a cauliflower curd. Irrepressible inflorescence identity genes in the context of dysfunctional meristems and slow internode elongation results in piles of incomplete flowers. If meristem size drifts during organogenesis, then the conical structures of the Romanesco form emerge in fractal formation. —PJH