Phyllotaxis is the arrangement of leaves on a plant stem. This pattern helps maximize sunlight exposure and space for each leaf, promoting efficient photosynthesis. Common arrangements include alternate, opposite, and whorled patterns, which can vary widely among different species. The most famous example of phyllotaxis is the Fibonacci sequence, where the number of spirals in seed heads or flower petals often corresponds to Fibonacci numbers. This mathematical relationship can be observed in many plants, such as sunflowers and pinecones, illustrating the connection between nature and mathematics.