No matter the color, flowers fascinate not only the organisms responsible for their pollination, as well as human beings, who use them mainly for ornamentation. But, after all, what makes flowers so colorful?
The color of flowers is directly related to their reproduction, as it serves as a way of attracting organisms responsible for transporting pollen. This variety of colors, which represents a great adaptation, is achieved thanks to the presence of pigments.
→ Flavonoids
Flavonoids are formed from plant metabolism and cannot be produced by humans. In the vegetable, they act in the development, growth and protection against pathogenic organisms, in addition to being the main pigment of the flowers of angiosperms. There are several classes of flavonoids, such as anthocyanins and chalcones.
At anthocyanins are pigments responsible for the color orange, blue, purple, red and violet. They color the flowers and also other parts of the vegetable, such as the fruit. These pigments make up the largest class of flavonoids. The chalcones, in turn, have a yellowish color.
Pollinators are attracted by the color and smell of flowers
→ Carotenoids
Carotenoids are substances produced by plants, algae, fungi, prokaryotes and even some animals. In these bodies, they perform various functions, highlighting their role in photosynthesis and as photoprotectors.
These pigments are responsible for the colors that vary from yellow to red in fruits, flowers and fungi. They are also found in leaves, where they are normally masked by chlorophyll. Given the coloring ability of this substance, it is used as a food coloring by industry.
A well-known example of a carotenoid is the beta carotene, pigment responsible for the orange color of certain vegetables, such as carrots and pumpkin. This carotenoid is very important for our body, as it acts as an antioxidant and works as a precursor to vitamin A.
→ Betalains
Betalains are pigments that occur only in an order of plants known as Caryophullales. In these plants, betalain replaces anthocyanin and produces red, yellow, pink and orange. the flower of Bouganvillea is an example of a rich structure in this pigment.
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos