Abstract
Many developmental patterns of organisms are known that it is orchestrated by diffusion of the factors. Herein we reported the novel patterning that seems to be controlled by the diffusion. Although it looks like the prickles randomly emerge on the stem of rose, we deciphered patterns for the position of prickles on stems of Rosa hybrida cv. ‘Red Queen’. Prickles occurred frequently at specific angular positions relative to the spiral curves connecting leaf positions on the surfaces of the stems. We proposed a mathematical model based on diffusion to explain the process via which the patterns emerged. The model assumed the presence of diffusion factors from primordia that suppress the development of prickles. As a result, this model shows the prickle patterning similar to those observed on live specimens. Moreover, by changing the model parameters of the assumed factors, we reproduce the pattern that is on other plant species. The finding indicates that the patterns of prickles in the kingdom Plantae are organized by similar diffuse systems. Further investigation will provide various insights into the molecular mechanism of prickle development and the role of the prickle patterning.