Photo: sohail nachiti (Pexels)
The characteristic color of plants and vegetation on planet earth has to do with the photosynthesis process that is vital for their existence.
It is well said that “green is life” and for plants it could not be more literal. The color of the leaves and stems of most plants has to do with colorophyllum, a molecule that allows plants to carry out photosynthesis and obtain energy. This substance is found inside cell organelles called chloroplasts.
Now why green? it has to do with the photons that are absorbed and reflected by chloroplasts. Plant pigments absorb the red and blue parts of the solar spectrum, but reflect green light.
Photosynthesis is the chemical reaction where carbon dioxide (CO2) and water form sugars and produce oxygen in the presence of light energy. Plants use the sugars produced in photosynthesis as a food source that is energy for the plant.
Source: National Geographic
