Hello Gardeners, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. Some of the colors that make autumn leaves so beautiful have actually been in the leaves all along, but only become visible in the fall. Their presence was masked by the chlorophyll molecules held in structures called chloroplasts. Chlorophyll absorbs red and blue light to power the process of photosynthesis – the chemical reaction that turns carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates – the ultimate source of all food we eat! Leaves look green they absorb red and blue light and our eyes then perceive the reflected green light waves not being used by the plants. . But also present at the same time and performing necessary functions are the flavonoid and carotenoid compounds that reflect orange and yellow light. They finally become visible when the leaves start to die. You know one of these pigments well – beta-carotene -- the precursor to vitamin A that makes carrots and sweet potatoes so good for you.
Fall Colors
