Which is the pigment that gives grey colour in plants?

Light-colored leaves that look white or gray have green pigment, but leaf surface modifications mask the color. Often the graying comes from fine hairs or wax that dilutes or greys the color value of the chlorophyll and accessory pigments. However some plants have fewer chloroplasts so have less chlorophyll and absorb less of the light. These are adaptations to different habitats.


Reduce only the green chlorophyll and the result might be yellow. Remove a lot of both chlorophyll and the yellow pigment xanthophyll and the leaf is white because almost no light is absorbed. The exact color depends on the accessory pigments. This is perfect for deeply shaded locations.


However without the accessory pigments this plant has no protection from sunburn. This decrease in total pigmentation is an adaptation to low light situations where the plant balances the amount of chlorophyll and protection needed with the amount of available light energy and risk of UV damage.


Plants have to protect themselves from sunburn just as any living organism so they use sunscreens like wax or hairs in the equatorial latitudes or regions with little shade. These regions produce plants with a lower rate of photosynthesis if they are water or nutrient poor. Plants like this appear adapted to regions with poor soil %26amp; little water. Here they shield themselves with other pigments from the sun’s potential UV damage. Further the hairs, if present, can shade the surface, reduce water loss, and prevent insects from reaching the leaf easily. Wax prevents water loss and light penetration. This is why grey plants are adapted to hot climates also.


The exact color of a plant depends on the accessory pigments. There are carotenoids such as the, carotenes, %26amp; xanthophylls (yellow through orange to red). Other pigments can be present in the leaf include the flavonoid (reddish to purple) molecules. Some of these absorb in the UV as sun screens to prevent UV damage but others serve different functions.