Shapes in Nature and Fractal Fun Information for teachers This Power Point can be adapted for classroom use All images supplied by C. Clennett, S. Allan and A. Mc Rob, RBG Kew unless individually credited.

Can you spot any circles in this mossy tree stump? Circles

Where are the circles in this picture of mushrooms growing in a dark place? Circles

These flowers are circular in shape. What shape is the flower bud? Circles and Spheres

Can you spot a sphere and a circle shape in this lovely cactus? Circles and Spheres

Is it possible to count all the spheres in this picture? Spheres

What is this sphere made up of? Spheres

Can you spot oval shapes in these beautiful seed pods? Ovals

Look very carefully can you spot squares and rectangles in the pattern of this leaf? Squares

This cacti is made up of lots of cylinders, but how are they different from the usual cylinder shape? Cylinders

Lots of triangles make up this plant. How are the triangles arranged? Triangles

Look at the lovely diamond shapes here on this seed head. Can you spot any other shapes? Diamonds

There are diamonds hiding in this cactus, where are they? Diamonds

Can you spot a diamond here? Diamonds

How many hearts can you see in this bright yellow flower? Hearts

Are all the petals in this flower heart shaped? Hearts

Can you find any hearts floating in the water? Hearts

This is the cut end of a cactus, just like the ones growing around it. How many star shapes can you see? Stars

There are lots of starbursts on this cactus, can you spot them? Starbursts

How many starbursts can you see in this picture of a cactus garden? Starbursts

What shape does this leaf look like? Arrows/spearheads

Do these flowers look like arrow or spearheads to you? These are the flowers of the fiery coloured red hot poker. How do you think they got their name? Arrows/spearheads

How many different types of arrows/spearheads can you see here? Arrows/spearheads

What do you think this curly whirly spiral is for? Spirals

Look carefully. Can you spot any spirals in amongst these plants? Spirals

Look very carefully, can you trace the spirals here? Spirals

Look at the spiral pattern in the trunk of this tree. What do you think made the tree grow like this? Spirals

How many fans can you see? Fans

Do these flowers remind you of bells? Bells

How many different shapes can you see as you look to the sky? Shapes in Nature

What shapes can you find in this decaying cactus leaf? Shapes in Nature

What shapes can you spot in the tangled branches and roots of this tree? Shapes in Nature

Look carefully, can you spot 3 different shapes here? Shapes in Nature

Can you find a circle, a star and a triangle? Shapes in Nature

Can you find cylinders, circles, starbursts and arrowheads? Shapes in Nature

What types of shapes can be found in this cactus? Shapes in Nature

Can you find different shapes hiding in the branches of this tree? Shapes in Nature

What shapes can you spot here? You might find some reflected in the water too. Shapes in Nature

Fractals A fractal is a shape which is made of subdivisions, each one being an approximate smaller scale copy of the whole. This is known as self-similarity. The word fractal is derived from the Latin fractus meaning "broken" or "fractured.“ A good example of a fractal pattern in nature is a tree. A branch of a tree shows the same branching pattern as the whole tree.

Can you see how this head of broccoli is made up of many smaller pieces which look like the whole vegetable? Fractals

Look at this branch and notice how the branching pattern is the same as the tree. Fractals

Can you see how each of the leaflets which make up this fern look like a smaller version of the whole leaf? Fractals

Each of the leaflets which make up the leaves is a mini versions of the whole leaf. Fractals

These are fractal shapes made by frost. Do the shapes look like plants to you? Fractals

Does this unusual flower remind you of something else? Use your Imagination

This is a strange flower head, but what do you see? Use your Imagination

What do you see when you look at this strange flower head? Use your Imagination

This is a flower, but what do you see? Use your Imagination

Can you see strange little winter hats... or something else? Use your Imagination

What do these flowers remind you of? Use your Imagination

Insects have been busy boring into the wood. What do you see when you look at the patterns they have made? Use your Imagination

What does this wonderful flower look like? Use your Imagination

Place a small blob of oil paint on a piece of acetate Cover with anther piece of acetate Spread the paint between the two sheets Gently peel the sheets apart Make your own fractal pattern 1

Can you see the fractal pattern made by the oil paint? Make your own fractal pattern 2

You will need:- an acetate sheet printing roller oil paint a conifer leaf mounted on paper paper Making a Fractal Forest 1

Place a small blob of oil paint on the acetate. Use the roller to create a very fine layer of paint across the acetate and on the roller. Making a Fractal Forest 2

Place a sheet of paper on the leaf Use the roller and roll back and forth across the paper until the print is bold enough Use this technique to create many trees and then a forest. Making a Fractal Forest 3