Flower pigments are the colorful compounds that give flowers their vibrant hues. These natural substances are produced by the plant itself and are responsible for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Major Pigment Groups
Several main pigment groups create the vast array of flower colors:
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Anthocyanins: These are the most common flower pigments, producing colors ranging from red and purple to blue and even black. The specific color depends on factors like pH and the presence of other molecules. (Source: The most common pigments in flowers come in the form of anthocyanins. These pigments range in color from white to red to blue to yellow to purple and even black and brown. -Multiple sources)
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Carotenoids: These pigments create yellows, oranges, and reds. They are also found in other plants and even some animals. (Source: Carotenoids are responsible for some yellows, oranges, and reds. -Multiple sources)
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Betalains: This group contributes to yellow and red colors, and they are mutually exclusive with anthocyanins – a flower will contain either betalains or anthocyanins, but not both. (Source: Three major groups of pigments, the betalains, the carotenoids, and the anthocyanins, are responsible for the attractive natural display of flower colors.)
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Flavonoids: These pigments, including aurones and chalcones, contribute to yellow and UV-absorbing qualities, impacting the overall color and attractiveness of a flower. (Source: We found that flower colour loci of chlorophylls, carotenoids, UV-absorbing flavonoids, aurones-chalcones, and anthocyanins occupied different regions of the... )
Genetic Basis
Flower color is genetically determined. Genes control the production of the necessary proteins for creating the pigment molecules. Other genes influence the transport and accumulation of these pigments in different flower parts. (Source: Two main groups of genes control flower color. One group includes genes that code for the protein machinery required to make pigment molecules. The other group...)
Practical Applications
The pigments from flowers have been used for centuries to create natural dyes and paints. The color and intensity of these dyes depend on the specific pigments present in the flowers used. (Source: Make Paint from Flowers - part 1) In some games, flower pigments are even used as crafting components. (Source: You can use the flower pigments to perform some mystical yellow recipes later in the game.)
