Colorful Fall Leaves

by David Meznarich

Title

Colorful Fall Leaves

Artist

David Meznarich

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Colorful fallen leaves - what determines the color of a leaf in the fall?

The colors are always there, but during the growing season, the chemical chlorophyll absorbs from sunlight the energy that is used in transforming carbon dioxide and water to carbohydrates and gives the leaf an abundance of green color, masking all the others.

In the fall, because of changes in the length of daylight and temperature, the leaves stop their food-making process. The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow to orange colors become visible and give the leaves part of their fall splendor. At the same time other chemical changes may occur, which form additional colors through the development of red anthocyanin pigments.

Temperature, light, and water supply have an influence on the degree and the duration of fall color. Low temperatures above freezing will favor anthocyanin formation producing bright reds in maples. Rainy and/or overcast days tend to increase the intensity of fall colors.

Uploaded

November 5th, 2019

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