Things in Nature with Rotational Symmetry

Sea Anenome

• Sea anemones are marine organisms similar to jellyfish. With no skeletal system, the sea anemone attaches itself to rocks or the ocean floor and waits for food to get caught in its tentacles. The tentacles are arranged around its mouth, like a sunflower. This part of the anemone -- the tentacles around its mouth -- displays rotational symmetry.

Flowers

• Flowers can also display rotational symmetry. Flowers with true rotational symmetry tend to be those with perimeter petals that open fully, exposing the anther, stamen and pistil. Examples include sunflowers, purple lotus flower, daisies and the anemone. Some flowers may appear to have rotational symmetry, such as roses and carnations, but their leaves layer over each other in a rotating pattern.

Leaves

• Like many other plant structures, leaves sometimes possess rotational symmetry. A single leaf often has line symmetry but not rotational symmetry. If you view all leaves on a plant as a structure, however, they often have rotational symmetry. A dandelion, for example, has a leaf structure with rotational symmetry.

Cacti and Sea Urchins

• Some forms in nature have rotational symmetry if you look a a cross-section or at the object from above. Their structures are round and divided into segments. Some cacti, sea urchins and some fruit fall in this category.