About L-Systems

L-Systems (Lindenmayer systems) are formal grammar systems developed by biologist Aristid Lindenmayer in 1968 to model the growth of plants. They use simple recursive rules to generate complex, self-similar patterns that closely resemble natural branching structures in trees, ferns, algae, and other organisms.

L-System Rules

Each branch follows the same production rule: F → F[+F][-F], where F means "draw forward" and [+/-] control branching angles.

Self-Similarity

The same pattern repeats at every scale, creating fractal structures where each part resembles the whole.

Stochastic Variation

Random variations in angles, lengths, and branching decisions create organic, natural-looking structures.

Biological Accuracy

L-Systems model real plant growth mechanisms, including apical dominance, branching probability, and resource distribution.

Parameters

Branch Angle: The angular divergence between child branches (θ in L-System notation)
Length Ratio: Scaling factor for each generation (typically 0.5-0.8 for realistic trees)
Maximum Depth: Number of production rule iterations (n)
Natural Variation: Stochastic parameters that add randomness to angles and lengths
Branch Continuity: Probability of branch continuation at each iteration (models apical dominance)
Growth Animation: Visualizes the iterative application of L-System production rules

L-System Fractals

Growth Controls