The colors of a leaf's life cycle transition through a spectrum, generally starting with green and progressing through various shades of yellow, orange, red, and eventually brown.
Here's a more detailed breakdown of the typical color progression:
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Green: This is the dominant color during the leaf's active growth period due to the abundance of chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for photosynthesis.
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Yellow-Green: As the leaf begins to age or as environmental conditions change (like shorter days in autumn), chlorophyll production slows down. The green color starts to fade, revealing underlying yellow pigments (carotenoids) that were present all along but masked by the chlorophyll.
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Yellow: With further chlorophyll breakdown, the yellow carotenoids become more prominent, resulting in a predominantly yellow leaf.
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Yellow-Orange to Red-Orange: Some trees produce anthocyanins, pigments that give leaves orange and red hues. These pigments are often produced in response to environmental stressors like cool temperatures and bright sunlight. The combination of yellow carotenoids and red anthocyanins creates orange shades.
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Near-Red: As anthocyanin production increases and carotenoids begin to degrade, the leaf appears increasingly red.
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Violet-y Brown: Finally, as all pigments break down and tannins accumulate, the leaf transitions to brown. This is the color of a dead and decaying leaf. The "violet-y" component may be due to remaining anthocyanins reacting with other compounds.
It's important to note that not all leaves go through every single one of these color stages, and the specific colors and their intensity can vary depending on the tree species, weather conditions, and soil composition. For instance, some trees may primarily turn yellow, while others may become vibrant red.
