The Universe of Discourse

The fivefold symmetry of the quince

The quince is so-named because, like other fruits in the apple family, it has a natural fivefold symmetry:

This is because their fruits develop from five-petaled flowers, and the symmetry persists through development. These are pear blossoms:

You can see this in most apples if you cut them into equatorial slices:

The fivefold symmetry isn't usually apparent from the outside once the structure leaves the flowering stage. But perfect Red Delicious specimens do have five little feet:

P.S.: I was just kidding about the name of the quince, which actually has nothing to do with any of this. It is a coincidence.

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