LEAF COLOR

The typical color of a plant leaf is, of course, green, due to the dominance of green pigments, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, present in plant tissues to absorb sunlight for the process of photosynthesis. These green pigments are made and located inside organelles of cells, plastids, here specifically termed chloroplasts. Green pigments mask other plastid pigments, such as beta-carotene (red-orange) as well as xanthophylls (yellow) and other carotenoids (red-orange or orange).

Finding the meaning of color for a plant leaf, as for flowers, butterflies, or fishes, may involve two approaches.

1. Scientists analyze HOW biochemical and structural features are involved in producing color.
   • pigments
   • structural color
2. Color may also be understood by finding WHY, the ecological, behavioral, or evolutionary explanation for possessing that property.

Further Topics:

1. Variations in green
• Habitat differences
• Leaf design
• Leaf age
• Chlorosis and etiolation
2. Vacuolar pigments
3. Variegated leaves
4. Structural color
• Reflective leaves
• Special wax and microrelief
5. Colored trichomes
6. Xanthophylls
7. Nongreen bracts

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