Flux Posted August 10, 2016 Bit of a random question, but does anyone know what causes, or is the function of, the vibrant red-pink colouring at the end of the young phyllodes of certain acacias. I have noticed this most prominently on Courtii, Phlebophylia and Obtusifolia (as this young seedling so beautifully shows)...do other Acacias do this ? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HolographicYou Posted August 10, 2016 Anthocyanins appear to be the answer, somehow used to protect the new growth from uv light? I suppose developing chlorophyll into new shoots, only to have them burn off on a hot Australian day is a waste of energy. I have come across a number of acacias that do this, though given the previous (halfassed) explanation, the question is now, why don't they all have red pigment? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bio Posted April 9, 2017 I say a complanata with a gradiant from red - to - green - to - blue in the phyllode. the answer I got was ...."test it" ... from one extraordinary helpful chap. shrug. they're pretty tho 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tailsmcsnails Posted April 18, 2017 funny I was thinking about this today as my baby Obtusifolias look just like that. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites