MySheen

Do you know why leaves have colorful colors?

Published: 2024-11-22 Author: mysheen
Last Updated: 2024/11/22, The leaves of plants are green most of the time. In autumn, some leaves will turn yellow, while others will turn red or purplish brown. No matter which color it is, it is not a simple pigment that plays a decisive role, sometimes.

The leaves of plants are green most of the time. In autumn, some leaves will turn yellow, while others will turn red or purplish brown. No matter which color it is, it is not a simple pigment that plays a decisive role, sometimes it is the comprehensive effect of a variety of pigments, sometimes it is a joint masterpiece of pigments and sugars.

Green

In short, the green in the leaves is caused by chlorophyll. However, chlorophyll is divided into six types of abcdef, and most green leaves are by no means caused by one kind of chlorophyll. For example, chlorophyll an is turquoise, chlorophyll b is yellowish green, the two are mixed in a ratio of 3 to 1, and then mixed with other pigments, the more "positive"leaf green" we see is finally blended.

orange

Carotene makes the leaves appear orange, but it is not secreted until autumn, but it exists in the leaves all the time. However, carotene is usually covered by the color of chlorophyll, so it cannot be shown. The withered leaves in autumn are close to orange, but the color is not as pure and bright as carrots, often mixed with other pigments, mixed with red, purplish red or brown.

Yellow

Lutein is the main cause of yellow, especially in autumn, after the chlorophyll is decomposed by cooling, the bright yellow "golden autumn" on the branches is the masterpiece of lutein. When lutein also begins to decompose, the color becomes lighter, and the golden leaves sometimes turn ugly withered yellow or brown.

Red

Anthocyanins are the key to turning leaves red. However, the color of anthocyanins is purplish red, and the red formula is completed only when the sugar accumulated in the leaves and anthocyanins are synthesized together with anthocyanins when the temperature drops at night in autumn. Therefore, the red leaves are the reddest after being beaten by frost.

 
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