Finding the center of a phyllotactic pattern

The calculation of divergence angles between primordia in a plant apex depends on the point used as the center of the apex. In mathematically ideal phyllotactic patterns, the center is well defined but there has not been a precise definition for the center of naturally occurring phyllotactic patterns. A few techniques have been proposed for estimating the location of the center but without a precise definition for the center the accuracy of these methods cannot be known. This paper provides a precise definition that can be used as the center of a phyllotactic pattern and a numerical method which can accurately find it. These tools will make it easier to compare theory against experiment in phyllotaxis.