How a Leaf Changes Color in Fall

By Steve Nix, About.com Guide

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.

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• Introduction to Fall Leaf Color Change
• Where are Leaf Plastids?
• Where are Carotenoid Pigments?
• Where are Anthocyanin Pigments?
• What are Other Important Fall Leaf Parts?

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