Why do beeches and maples sometimes have red leaves?

There are green beeches and maples but sometimes they have red leaves. Not during autumn, but already during leaf development.

Asker: Ari, 67 years old

Answer

Dear Ari,

The reason for the red leaves is that these plants produce a lot of anthocyanins, which overpower the color of the other pigments. Don’t worry: these leaves also have chlorophylls, but we can’t see them.

Best regards,

J. Geuns

Answered by

prof. Dr. Jan Geuns

Functional Biology

Why do beeches and maples sometimes have red leaves?

Catholic University of Leuven
Old Market 13 3000 Leuven
https://www.kuleuven.be/

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