How a Leaf Changes Color in Fall

Anthocyanin pigments (figure 3): These pigments occur in the sap of cells. The anthocyanins temporarily color the edges of some of the very young leaves as they unfold from the buds in early spring. They also give the familiar red and purple color to such common fruits as cranberries, red apples, blueberries, cherries, strawberries, and plums.
In an autumn forest they show up vividly in the maples, oaks, sourwood, sweetgum, dogwood, tupelo, black gum, and persimmon. These same pigments often combine with the carotenoids' colors to give us the deeper orange, fiery reds, and bronzes typical of many hardwood species.