The fibonacci (Na'vi name: anìheyu meaning "blue spiral") is a large fern-like plant similar to the Terran fiddlehead fern characterized by the iconic unfurling of fronds through growth. It is also similar to the Pandoran fiddlehead, as they share the same genus, but the fibonacci has more of a scaly appearance. While their Na'vi name does not make sense during the day, at night, they have a vibrant blue bioluminescence.
A fibonacci in the first film
The fibonacci features the same fiddle neck appearance when the leaves are young. The common name of the plant is based on the resemblance of the coiled juvenile leaf to the famous fibonacci spiral, which is based on the ancient number sequence in which each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers. Botanists on Pandora have recognized this mathematical pattern in the fibonacci and many other botanical specimens.
Like the fiddlehead, the fibonacci leaves contain algae, although in this case they are blue-green in color and very useful to the plant. These symbiotic algae are able to perform photosynthesis to make their own food. They also capture nitrogen from the air and fix it into nitrate, which is usable by the plants. This allows the fibonacci to grow in poor soils with little nutrition. The Na'vi collect the fibonacci to extract the blue pigment for use in paints.
The toxin in the algae is used by the Na'vi to create a poison that can be used for the tips of arrows and spears.
Other Facts[]
Taxonomy[]
Its root name Orbis caeruleus means “coil” and “blue” in color.
Botanical Description[]
Juvenile stage of giant blue fern-like plant. Coiled leaf unrolls into large primitive single-leaved plant. Named for resemblance to fibonacci spiral.
Ecology[]
The blue color of the fibonacci is due to highly toxic blue-green algae in leaves. The algae fix nitrogen from the atmosphere for use by the plant, which provides protection for the algae.
Etnobotany[]
Fibonacci are collected as a source of blue pigment to use for ritual and domestic paint. the toxin in the algae is deadly at high concentrations.
Trivia[]
A gigantic fiddlehead/fibonacci seen in the first film
- During the Assault on the Tree of Souls, a gigantic fiddlehead/fibonacci (unable to tell due to the small resolution) can be seen where Na'vi look very small running near it, showing how big they can grow.
Sources[]
- Pandorapedia - Orbis caeruleus article
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