Saturday, October 9, 2010

Chemistry of Autumn Leaf Color


How Fall Colors Work

Leaf Colors

The color of a leaf results from an interaction of different pigments produced by the plant. The main pigment classes responsible for leaf color are porphyrins, carotenoids, and flavonoids. The color that we perceive depends on the amount and types of the pigments that are present. Chemical interactions within the plant, particularly in response to acidity (pH) also affect the leaf color.

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