Thursday, September 23, 2010

Why Leaves Change Color

Tree leaves are jammed with chlorophyll
Until long nights restore a chill.
Chlorophyll keeps leaves their greenest
But without sun the greening's leanest.

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Also inside each green leaf
Are pigments with names less than brief.
For instance Anthocyanins ~
(Leaf color kind of vitamins).

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Carotenoids reside inside
But Chlorophyll makes pigments hide.


So when the Chlorophyll stops pumping
These two pigments get to jumping.

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Anthocyanins, et al
Bring reddish colors to the fall
While Carotenoids and their fellows
Make the oranges and yellows.

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And leaves that once were deepest green
Redress and prep for their next scene.

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Check here for autumnal delights.

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