Writhen?

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What is the right word for this twisty branch? Writhen is the only word I can think of.
Photographed at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, London.

5 replies to “Writhen?

  1. The branch itself isn’t twisting; it is the arrangement of the leaves that cause this pattern. Phyllotactically this is just an 8/13 alternating leaf arrangement, which follows the Fibonacci sequence. I think that, generally, writhen describes the overall shape very well though! Plus, I like the word writhen! 😉

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    1. I love the word too–challenging & fun to say at the same time. Thanks. And I didn’t know the pattern followed the Fibonacci sequence. Never occurred to me.

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    1. I’m pleased that you enjoyed the image and the word, Mary. I became familiar with the word “writhen” while I was exploring my love of decorative arts.

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