Abstract
The composition of leaf pigments was studied in 32 species of gymnosperms. In 19 species belonging to four families, both evergreen and deciduous leaves turned to reddish brown in late autumn and winter. The red pigment detected in these leaves proved to be rhodoxanthin. The colouring was due to the disappearance of chloroplast pigments and the subsequent synthesis of rhodoxanthin. Neither qualitative nor quantitative differences were recognised in the chloroplast-derived pigments of green leaves between the species with and without the ability to produce rhodoxanthin. Unlike green leaves in which ca. 10% of total carotenoid content was α-carotene, reddish brown leaves scarcely contained α-carotene. Changes in pigment composition during the reddish colouring of leaves and their regreening were studied in detail and discussed.
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Ida, K. Eco-physiological studies on the response of taxodiaceous conifers to shading, with special reference to the behaviour of leaf pigments. Bot Mag Tokyo 94, 41–54 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02490202
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02490202