I noticed there are stems on my olive tree that have different leaf arrangements - some are opposite while others are alternate. I didn't know it possible to have more than one arrangement in a plant. How common is this in the plant world?
Uncommon, but it happens. There are several native Asteraceae that switch from opposite to alternate or vice versa as the stem elongates.
That's interesting. It adds another element of uncertainty into identifying plants as leaf arrangement is often used in the process. What do you suppose is the benefit to the plant in changing up its leaf arrangement?
*whistle* It's a big topic. Things to consider: light capture, plant cooling, optimal temperatures in different parts of the plant for different physiological processes, proximity of photosynthesizing areas (and magnitude of such) to areas of development, likely more than that! Here are some examples: Leaf size and angle vary widely across species: what consequences for light interception? On the mystery of the golden angle in phyllotaxis - KING - 2004 - Plant, Cell & Environment - Wiley Online Library
