[The theory of phyllotaxis. II. Crystallographic interpretation of the interrelation between lower and superior...

Cross-opposite phyllotaxis forms are defined as superior with respect to the alternate ones and verticillate phyllotaxis forms as superior with respect to the opposite ones. Different phyllotaxis forms can be interpreted as a result of stretching of crystal-like structures of the embryo formed by dense packing of rudiments. Based on hypothetical concepts of the properties of plant rudiments and embryos, possible mechanisms of the formation of superior phyllotaxis forms from the lower ones have been analyzed. It was shown that the superior phyllotaxis forms can be considered as the results of additive summation of the lower forms. The theoretical conclusions are confirmed by the examples of polymorphic phyllotaxis in conspecific plants and by the facts of accidental splitting of superior phyllotaxis forms into the corresponding lower forms in nature and in experiment. The mechanisms underlying the formation of multiple forms of helical phyllotaxis have been proposed. The concept of a new type of mixed hexagonal-tetragonal phyllotaxis has been formulated and the mechanism of its formation has been considered. The forms of corn grain packaging in the corncob and leaf arrangement on the strawberry tomato stem are given as examples of true hexagonal-tetragonal phyllotaxis in nature.