CSS z-index paradox flower

Question

I would like to create a paradoxical effect via the z-index CSS property.

In my code I have five circles, like in the image below, and they are all absolute

Answer 1

Sadly the following is just a theoretical answer, as for some reason I can't get -webkit-transform-style: preserve-3d; to work (have to be making some obvious mistake, but can't seem to figure it out). Either way, after reading your question I - as with every paradox - wondered why it's only an apparent impossibility, rather than a real one. Another few seconds me realize that in real life the leaves are rotated a bit, thus allowing such a thing to exist. So then I wanted to concoct a simple demonstration of the technique, but without the previous property that's impossible (it gets drawn to the flat parent layer). Either way, here is the base code none the less

    

        

            
1
        
        

            
2
        
        

            
3
        
        

            
4
        
        

            
5
        
    

And the css:

.i1 {
    -webkit-transform:rotateZ(288deg)
}
.i2 {
    -webkit-transform:rotateZ(0deg)
}
.i3 {
    -webkit-transform:rotateZ(72deg)
}
.i4 {
    -webkit-transform:rotateZ(144deg)
}
.i5 {
    -webkit-transform:rotateZ(216deg)
}
.leaf { 
    position:absolute;
    left:35px;
    top:35px;
}
.leaf > .item {
    -webkit-transform:rotateY(30deg) translateY(35px)
}

And you can find the full code here.