026 SYMMETRY IN CALOTROPIS

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026 SYMMETRY IN CALOTROPIS
Biological Symmetry is the balanced distribution
of duplicate body parts or shapes. The body plans
of most multi-cellular organisms exhibit some
form of symmetry, either radial
symmetry or bilateral symmetry. A small group of
organisms do not exhibit symmetry (they are
asymmetrical). Many flowers are radially
symmetrical and flowering plants demonstrate
symmetry of five, more frequently than any other
form.
MATERIALS REQUIRED
Calotropis flowers Stationery to record and draw
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Each Calotropis flower consists of five pointed
petals and a small, elegant "crown" rising from
the centre, which holds the stamens. The plant
has oval, light green leaves and milky stem. The
flowers last long, and in India they are used in
religious festivals. The leaves are also used in
treatment of muscular pains and the plant as such
is used as a pest repellant by organic farmers.
The fruit is a follicle and when dry, seed
dispersal is by wind. This plant plays host to a
variety of insects and butterflies.
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Though you observe symmetry in almost all flowers
of plants, the crown lends elegance to observe
the beauty of nature in its full brim. Remove
the sepals, petals and the crown and draw exactly
alike on a sheet of paper. Measure the parts of
the flower using a mm scale and illustrate on
paper. Enjoy to see the symmetry, the design and
the mathematical precision with which Nature has
created its organisms. Apply the data from this
exercise and create a piece of art. Compare
symmetry with flowers from other plants.