There were a few of these plants next to each other, but not all of them had this bright purple coloration. I suppose there might be an acidic spot by the roots, but I'm not sure.
What is this plant, and why does it have bright purple spots?
There were a few of these plants next to each other, but not all of them had this bright purple coloration. I suppose there might be an acidic spot by the roots, but I'm not sure.
8 Comments
bot@mander.xyz · 9 pts · 3y
Automatic identification via PlantNet summary
Most likely match: Chenopodium giganteum D.Don
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Sal@mander.xyz · 3 pts · 3y
I agree!
The Wiki page points out that:
But it doesn't go into what the pigment is, or why they might do this...
Pandantic@midwest.social · 2 pts · 3y
Some plants just do that. My rose bushes have red leaves, until it grows bigger and turns green.
PanaX@lemmy.ml · 8 pts · 3y
Often, plants use a pigment called anthocyanin. This is used in flowers as an attractant for bees but also used in leaves as a sun screen. In intense light conditions the plant will use it to protect the interior vascular systems from sun damage.
Sal@mander.xyz · 3 pts · 3y
Interesting - so maybe these pigments showed up in response to strong light?
tierelantijntje@feddit.nl · 2 pts · 3y
They do! Might be that this plant has a genetic variegation that causes it to be more red than it's neighbors. This plant is a delicious substitute for spinach by the way :)
scientuslatens@infosec.pub · 3 pts · 3y
Chenopodium giganteum (tree spinach)
Sal@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 3y
Thanks!
renewalplaner@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 3y