Red Leaved Trees, have you ever wondered how a tree can have red leaves? what about chlorophyll? Well, this article aims to answer this and more questions, discover with us the trees that have this property and why this wonder happens in nature.
Red Leaf Trees
Red Leaf Trees are not the most common, as we all know and identify a tree by its green foliage. But nature loves to surprise and the red giants manage to attract attention. There are species that achieve this feat throughout the year, but others only do it on autumn days. We invite you to know and discover the mystery of the red leaves. Cheer up and continue reading.
We all know that the green color of the leaves is due to chlorophyll, but in the case of certain trees they have a large amount of a substance called anthocyanins, which allows the leaves to vary in color, which can be from blue, violet, bronze and reach red. Many scientists still disagree about the nature of these trees.
Scientists such as Marco Archettip, who is a Harvard professor, affirm that the red color of the leaves allows these plants to protect themselves from insects, as they usually associate it with danger. There is also another theory that states that the red leaves are a way to protect themselves from solar radiation during the fall and the filtration of anthocyanin in the soil does not allow any other plant to flourish, leaving the space only for the red giant.
Types of Red Leaf Tree
There is a variety of Red Leaf Tree, which becomes a great spectacle during the fall, because at this time in the northern hemisphere, the days tend to be shorter so the trees begin to change the color of their leaves. These plants accumulate a large amount of chlorophyll during the year, which they use to maintain the sun's energy to convert the carbon dioxide present in the air, water and soil and convert it into sugars necessary for the plant.
During autumn, the light decreases and with it the production of the green pigment, causing the leaf to begin to change color and produce carotenoids and flavonoids, which are a type of natural pigment that serves to protect the body from damage caused by oxidizing agents. , such as solar radiation and environmental pollution by chemical substances. These changes and some permanent ones make the landscape a real party full of color. Here we present some samples.
Japanese maple
This red-leaved tree, a kind of deciduous shrub, has palm-shaped leaves that change color during the fall. Among the Japanese maples, there are sub-species with well-defined characteristics. Among them we find the palmatum var atropurpureum, it is a tree whose leaves turn red during spring, green in summer and red in autumn.
Palmatum beni maiko is very similar to the previous one, only that its leaves tend to be smaller and the color is more intense and bright. In the case of palmatum bloodgood, the leaves during the fall turn red but dark. And the palmatum var osakasuki has reddish leaves but not intense. All these trees are highly resistant and withstand frost.
Red maple
Known by the scientific name Acer rubrum, it is a Red Leaf Tree from North America. This specimen can reach up to 40 meters in height in the best of cases. As for its leaves, these are presented in a lobed and palmate green color except during the autumn when they turn reddish. It is a tree capable of withstanding temperatures down to minus 17 degrees.
Red plum
The Red Plum or Prunus cerasifera var Nigra, is a Red Leaf Tree, deciduous type, which reaches a height of 8 meters, which has the peculiarity of having its elliptical red leaves all year round except for winter days, for they classify it as a tree that likes to be contrary. Its flowers sprout before the leaves giving the best of shows, its small white flowers with pink tones make this specimen a true beauty. Like the previous ones, it is capable of resisting strong frosts. It is native to western Asia.
liquidambar
This species native to North America, is among the tallest, as it can reach up to 40 meters with a trunk of only one meter in diameter. It is a deciduous type, fast-growing Altingiaceae family. It has palmate and lobed leaves which sprout alternately. During the autumn the leaves undergo a discoloration going from green to yellow, then red and finally violet. It blooms during the spring, but these are not at all showy.
Virginia sumac
Known by many as rustifina or rus, it is a dioecious plant, that is, it can be classified as male or female. It is of deciduous type, which can reach only 10 meters in height. Its large, pinnate, deciduous leaves, that is, with numerous and toothed folios, are attached to thick branches with reddish trichomes. During the fall the leaves vary their hue from yellowish to red or orange. It grows singly and rarely in groups. Its resistance to cold leads it to withstand temperatures of up to -12 degrees Celsius.
Indoor Red Plants
In the case of wanting to decorate certain interior spaces with red-leaved plants, here we give you a complete guide so that you can choose and show off that special plant.
Painted Leaf Begonia
This rhizomatous herb, that is, its underground stems are devoid of leaves and may have cataphylls in the form of scaly membranes. The Begonia, scientifically known as Begonia rex, is an exotic plant with a brilliant color, the most prominent being red. It can reach a height of up to 40 centimeters. Its leaves can be of various shapes, such as a conch shell or a drop, with wavy or toothed margins. As for the colors, these can vary between green, variegated, reddish or purple. Produces a small but inconspicuous flower. It is a plant that does not resist the cold.
Red cordyline
This plant with red leaves is popularly known as red dracaena, whose scientific name is Cordyline fruticosa 'Rubra'. It is a native plant of Australia. Its leaves are thick and curved, with a combination of matte green with a red center. It is shaped like a bush and can reach 3 meters in height. It is not tolerant to cold so it requires direct sunlight except in the middle of the day.
Hypoestes
This plant with red leaves belongs to the Acanthaceae family. It is a herbaceous species with very bright colors, which makes it ideal for showing off indoors. It is popularly known by the name of the painter's palette, it is of tropical origin. This specimen requires a lot of care to achieve a good development and maintenance, especially in terms of irrigation, fertilizer and lighting. It can measure from 20 centimeters to 1 meter. Its leaves are lanceolate-ovoid green with white and reddish spots. Its flower is of little importance at an ornamental level.
Poinsettia
The poinsettia, better known as the Christmas flower, gives us a special beauty between autumn and spring. This species is native to Mexico, Euphorbiaceae family, shrubs that can reach up to 5 meters in height. Its flowers come in various colors, white, green and red, the latter being the most common. Even when it can be kept indoors, the ideal is to plant it in the garden, as it requires a lot of light. This plant has become the symbol of Christmas and, contradictorily, it does not resist frost as much as it could withstand a temperature of minus two degrees.
Purpurin
This species is a hanging creeper, scientifically known as Tradescantia pallida, which has purple leaves, which is different from the rest, it produces a small but beautiful purple-pink flower during the spring, which contrasts spectacularly with the leaf. It is a highly resistant and little care plant, capable of tolerating temperatures up to 8° C and a maximum of 20° C.
Do you know why there are Red Leaf Trees? Watch this video and find out.
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