TAKE A CLOSER LOOK Patterns In Nature What Patterns Can You See In Nature? Pattern is a line, color, shape or form that repeats. Many patterns are found in nature. Plants and animals often have patterns in their structure and markings. What patterns can you see? Branching (Fractal) Seen as veins in leaves, stems Lines branch off from a central axis. and petals. Can also be seen They get smaller and thinner as they in the wings of dragonflies and move away from the center. bees. Repeating (Spots & Stripes) Seen on many pollinators Lines, shapes and colors often repeat in including butterflies, bees and nature. Repeating patterns can attract moths. Repeating colors and pollinators or deter predators. markings can also be seen on many flowers. Radiating (Explosion) Radiating patterns are seen in Shapes and forms originate from a many flowers and seeds. A single point. They are often circular or dandelion and allium (onion spherical. flower) are great examples. Concentric Tree rings are fascinating Lines or shapes go around a central concentric shapes that relate to point. They get increasingly larger from the tree’s annual growth the center like rings. pattern. Spiral Many plants and succulents like Spiral patterns wind around a central aloe have spiral shapes and point. They get larger as they move forms. So do snail shells. Rose away from the center. petals also form a spiral shape. Symmetrical Many orchids, leaves and Patterns and shapes look the same on flowers are symmetrical. So both side of a center line, or axis. A are the bodies of many mirror image. pollinators and pests. Tessellations (Tiles) Acorn caps have tessellation or Tessellation are similar shapes that tile-like patterns. The scales repeat. In nature, they often fit seen on butterfly or moth wings together on a flat surface like tiles. are also tessellations. They can also look like scales. Waves We see them on water and Wave patterns are lines that curve sand dunes, but we also see back and forth across surfaces. They them on plant seeds and in often create parallel grooves. some bark patterns. Bubbles (Packing) Bubble patterns can be seen in Bubble patterns have many rounded the centers of flowers where shapes packed close together. seeds are produced. Great examples include sunflower seeds and corn kernels. Discovery Days Activities Designed by Eurekus for Denver Botanic Gardens .