plant pigments
Botanical color compounds
Plant pigments are the chemical compounds that give plants their colors.
Chlorophyll produces green, carotenoids create yellows and oranges, anthocyanins yield reds and purples.
Beyond coloration, these molecules serve essential functions—chlorophyll drives photosynthesis, while others protect against sun damage or attract pollinators.
The fall foliage displays brilliant plant pigments as chlorophyll breaks down.
- luteinYellow carotenoid in eyes
- carotenoidsFat-soluble plant pigments
- flavonoidsPolyphenolic plant metabolites
- light absorptionMatter capturing radiant energy
- beta-caroteneOrange plant pigment
chlorosis · lycopene · tannins · polyphenols · orange · red · vibrant · natural dyes · food coloring · yellow · spectrum · fall foliage · autumn leaves · leaves · extraction · sunlight · dye · photosynthesis
- garden color designcolor schemes, complementary colors, flower color, leaf color, warm colors
- Bioactivesphytochemicals, polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, antioxidants
biological source
plant pigmentscochineal
Insect-sourced red colorant
carmine · Tyrian purple · sepia · melanin · shellac