Modeling Dense Inflorescences

Abstract

Showy inflorescences - clusters of flowers - are a common feature of many plants, greatly contributing to their beauty. The large numbers of individual flowers (florets), systematically arranged in space, make inflorescences a natural target for procedural modeling. This thesis presents a suite of biologically motivated algorithms for modeling and animating the development of inflorescences, each sharing the following characteristics: (i) the ensemble of florets create a relatively smooth, tightly packed, often approximately planar surface; (ii) there are numerous collisions between petals of florets; and (iii) the developmental stages and types of florets each depends upon their positions within the inflorescence. A single framework drives the floral canopy's development and resolves the collisions. Flat-topped branched inflorescences (corymbs and umbels) are modeled using a florets-first algorithm, wherein the branching structure self-organizes to support florets in predetermined positions. This suite of techniques is illustrated with models from several plant families.