Green shoots?
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Not oak, but new rose leaves.
Not all new spring growth is green. The leaves in the oak trees near us are a rich bronze-red colour when they emerge, turning green later on in the year. The red colour is from high levels of anthocyanins, which provide an important natural defence against damaging sunlight. The chlorophyll in young leaves is protected until the leaves mature, and turn first light and then darker green.
Red leaves are less likely to be eaten by pests. Studies have shown that red indicates that a plant is not good enough to eat, lacking nitrogen, or is tough and more difficult to chew. Additionally, some sick or dying plants have red leaves, so will be avoided by herbivores, both insect and mammal.
I have noticed that new leaves on some plants are red, but didn't realize that was the reason!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard about the red leaves either but it makes perfect sense!
ReplyDeleteWe have Crimson Fire shrubs with purple leaves that turn red throughout the year and are relatively unbothered by bugs or animals.
Nature is so smart, eh?
ReplyDeleteDid not know about the red in leaves making them less tasty. Wish I had lots of plants that were red year round. Make those pesky deer feed elsewhere, lol.
ReplyDeleteI will look for more burnished vegetation, but I don't think I will see it here for awhile, if at all.
ReplyDeleteI never knew why some early spouts were red. You continue to educate me. In my area, young crabapple sprouts are red.
ReplyDelete