A Leaf in Autumn

Leaves are little powerhouses. Their veins convey water and minerals to the leaf cells, and then the sugars created during photosynthesis are conveyed back by them to the plant. Chlorophyll (which gives leaves their green hue) is what drives photosynthesis, the process of creating energy from light in plants, and in the autumn it is drawn back into the plant, leaving the remaining compounds to colour the leaf. In this case the yellow of the hydrangea leaf signifies carotenes dominating, an orange or red leaf would signify anthocyanins have the upper hand.

But that’s enough chemistry. Autumn leaves just look beautiful, made the more poignant by it being a fleeting beauty.