Lindenmayer systems (L systems) were first introduced in 1968 by Lindenmayer as a mathematical theory of plant development (Lindenmayer 1968a; 1968b). They attracted the attention of computer scientists who investigated them through formal language theory (Prusinkiewicz and Hanan 1989), and Smith (1984) proposed using L systems as a tool for creating computer generated images of plants. Specialists in computer graphics, particularly Prusinkiewicz, perfected systems that produce realistic images of trees, bushes, and flowers, and these are well illustrated in The Algorithmic Beauty of Plants (Prusinkiewicz and Lindenmayer 1990).
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Lindenmayer A (1968a) Mathematical models for cellular interaction in development I. Filaments with one-sided inputs. Journal of Theoretical Biology 18:280-289
Lindenmayer A (1968b) Mathematical models for cellular interaction in development II. Simple and branching filaments with two-sided inputs. Journal of Theoretical Biology 18:300-315
Prusinkiewicz P, Hanan J (1989) Lindenmayer systems, fractals, and plants. Lecture Notes in Biomathematics Springer-Verlag:Berlin
Prusinkiewicz P, Lindenmayer A (1990) The Algorithmic Beauty of Plants Springer-Verlag:New York
Smith AR (1984) Plants, fractals and formal languages. Computer Graphics 18:July 1-10
last updated March 2004 f.soddell@latrobe.edu.au