Thursday, November 4, 2010

The Beauty of the Helix

Most beautyberries arrange their berries in clusters spaced out on a mostly bare stem.

100_2930 But driving through the Ochlockonee River Wildlife Management Area B noticed this one plant that did things a little differently. (The light was harsh and the plant was not near the road. This was my best shot, but it is not wonderful.)

100_2928

The berries spiraled around the stem, forming a right-handed helix on the stem on the left; and it looks like a left-handed helix on the right.

There were dozens and dozens of beautyberry plants in the area, but we only saw this one plant with this arrangement.