As winter approaches, all things wither, and the leaves of many plants start to turn from green to yellow, eventually falling. Among these plants, there are also some "special" leaves that remain green even in the cold winter. Some leaves even turn golden yellow. What kind of plants do these "special" leaves belong to? Why do they turn yellow in winter?
Types of plants that turn yellow in winter1. Evergreen plants
Evergreen plants are a type of plant that remains green in winter, such as pine, cypress, and bamboo. These leaves contain a lot of chlorophyll, which can absorb sunlight for photosynthesis, thus maintaining the growth of the plant. In winter, although the intensity of sunlight weakens, the leaves of evergreen plants can still carry out photosynthesis normally, so they do not turn yellow.
2. Some deciduous plants
Some deciduous plants gradually turn yellow in winter, such as ginkgo and maple trees. These leaves contain more xanthophyll and carotene. These two pigments gradually accumulate in winter, causing the leaves to turn yellow. When the temperature further drops, the chlorophyll in the leaves is broken down, and the yellow pigments gradually become dominant, causing the leaves to turn yellow.
Why do leaves turn yellow?1. Weakening of light intensity
In winter, the duration of sunlight decreases, and the intensity weakens, leading to a decrease in the efficiency of plant photosynthesis. To adapt to this environment, some plants gradually reduce the synthesis of chlorophyll, causing the leaves to turn yellow.
2. Temperature drop
The temperature drops in winter, slowing down the plant's metabolism and causing the nutritional transport in the leaves to be blocked. At this time, yellow pigments such as xanthophyll and carotene gradually accumulate, causing the leaves to turn yellow.
3. Environmental factors
In winter, the air is dry, and the wind is strong, which can easily cause the plant leaves to lose water. After losing water, the cell membranes in the leaves are damaged, the chlorophyll is broken down, the yellow pigments become visible, and the leaves turn yellow.
The ornamental value of leaves that turn yellow in winterAlthough leaves turning yellow mean that the plant has entered a dormant period, this phenomenon also brings a certain ornamental value. The yellow leaves of ginkgo and the red leaves of maple trees are unique winter scenery. The yellow leaves can also provide food for birds, helping to maintain ecological balance.
The leaves that turn yellow in winter are a plant's adaptation to environmental changes. Understanding the characteristics of these plants can help us better appreciate the natural beauty of winter. This also reminds us to pay attention to the growth environment of plants and protect the ecological environment to make nature more beautiful.