Puricare Industrial Enterprises: LEAVES CHANGE COLORS IN THE FALL - Leaf abscission (the technical term for the dropping of leaves) begins with the degradation of chlorophyll. As the green fades, yellow and orange pigments known as carotenoids are revealed in the leaves of many species. In other plants, pigments called anthocyanins accumulate in the leaves at this time, giving them shades of red and purple. Some of the most beautiful fall foliage features both types of pigments, often with one color giving way to the next as the season progresses.

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Why Do Leaves Change Colors in the Fall?

As the green fades, yellow and orange pigments known as carotenoids are revealed in the leaves of many species. In other plants, pigments called anthocyanins accumulate in the leaves at this time, giving them shades of red and purple. Some of the most beautiful fall foliage features both types of pigments, often with one color giving way to the next as the season progresses.

WRITTEN BY: Melissa Petruzzello

In many places around the world, autumn is marked by the slow, beautiful change of green foliage to vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, and purples.

Green leaves appear green because of the presence of the pigment chlorophyll, which is key to photosynthesis.

In temperate regions, cold winters pose a risk to the leaves of broadleaf trees and other perennials, and so these plants drop their leaves in a controlled fashion to reduce injuries and conserve energy.

This event is usually triggered by the declining day length and falling temperatures of autumn.

Leaf abscission (the technical term for the dropping of leaves) begins with the degradation of chlorophyll.

As the green fades, yellow and orange pigments known as carotenoids are revealed in the leaves of many species.

In other plants, pigments called anthocyanins accumulate in the leaves at this time, giving them shades of red and purple.

Some of the most beautiful fall foliage features both types of pigments, often with one color giving way to the next as the season progresses.

Eventually all the leaves are dropped, and the plant goes dormant for the long winter months.

BIOGRAPHY

Melissa Petruzzello began working at Britannica in 2013 and is Assistant Editor of Plant and Environmental Science. She has her M.S. in Plant Biology and Conservation from Northwestern University (2011) and a B.S. in Biological Science from Biola University (2008).
https://www.britannica.com/story/why-do-leaves-change-colors-in-the-fall

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