Yes, purple plants do have chlorophyll.
Understanding Pigments in Purple Plants
Despite their striking purple hue, plants with purple leaves are not devoid of the green pigment chlorophyll. The provided reference explicitly states: Plants with purple leaves also contain chlorophyll. This might seem counter-intuitive since we associate chlorophyll with the green color of most leaves.
How Purple Hides Green
The reason purple leaves appear purple is due to the presence of large amounts of other pigments, primarily anthocyanins. As the reference notes, the presence of large amount of purple pigments like anthocyanin mask the green color of chlorophyll in these leaves. These purple pigments are often produced by the plant to:
- Protect leaves from excessive sunlight.
- Deter herbivores.
- Attract pollinators (in some cases, though primarily in flowers/fruits).
So, the chlorophyll is there, but the intense purple color from anthocyanins is simply more visible, overwhelming the green.
The Role of Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is essential for plants because it plays a crucial role in photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of sugars, which they use for growth and sustenance. The reference confirms this by stating: Presence of chlorophyll enable them to perform photosynthesis.
Here's a simple comparison:
| Pigment | Color | Primary Function | Presence in Purple Plants? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorophyll | Green | Captures light for photosynthesis | Yes |
| Anthocyanins | Purple | Mask green, protection, etc. | High amounts |
Therefore, even though purple leaves don't look green, their internal machinery for capturing light energy is still active thanks to the presence of chlorophyll, hidden beneath the purple pigments.
