• Question: Where do the different colours in flowers come from?

    Asked by to James, Jennifer, Kim, Liam, Ricardo on 20 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Jennifer Stephens

      Jennifer Stephens answered on 20 Jun 2014:

      Hi 12sarsat

      There are different pigments in flowers that absorb different colours of light (different wavelengths). Anthocyanins are one type of pigment. Anthocyanins absorb green and blue light but not red. The red light is reflected back and that is the colour we see. In the same way, stems and leaves absorb red and blue light, but not green light.

      Flower colours attract insects, birds and bees that land on the flowers and help to pollinate them by carrying pollen between different flowers. This ensures they reproduce, making lots of seeds.

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