There were a few of these plants next to each other, but not all of them had this bright purple coloration. I suppose there might be an acidic spot by the roots, but I'm not sure.
Bot - 2.3yr
Automatic identification via PlantNet summary
Most likely match: Chenopodium giganteum D.Don
Common name
Scientific name
Likeliness
Tree Spinach
Chenopodium giganteum
82.38 %
/
Lamium garganicum
2.21 %
Mexican Lemon Hyssop
Agastache mexicana
1.59 %
/
Melissa axillaris
1.54 %
Coleus
Plectranthus scutellarioides
0.55 %
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9
Salamander - 2.3yr
I agree!
The Wiki page points out that:
The younger leaves of Chenopodium giganteum are hairy with a magenta colour and the older become green.
But it doesn't go into what the pigment is, or why they might do this...
3
Pandantic [they/them] - 2.3yr
Some plants just do that. My rose bushes have red leaves, until it grows bigger and turns green.
2
PanaX @lemmy.ml - 2.3yr
Often, plants use a pigment called anthocyanin. This is used in flowers as an attractant for bees but also used in leaves as a sun screen. In intense light conditions the plant will use it to protect the interior vascular systems from sun damage.
9
Salamander - 2.3yr
Interesting - so maybe these pigments showed up in response to strong light?
3
tierelantijntje @feddit.nl - 2.3yr
They do! Might be that this plant has a genetic variegation that causes it to be more red than it's neighbors. This plant is a delicious substitute for spinach by the way :)
Sal in plantid
What is this plant, and why does it have bright purple spots?
https://i.imgur.com/EF6WhDn.jpgThere were a few of these plants next to each other, but not all of them had this bright purple coloration. I suppose there might be an acidic spot by the roots, but I'm not sure.
Automatic identification via PlantNet summary
Most likely match: Chenopodium giganteum D.Don
Beep, boop
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically.
I agree!
The Wiki page points out that:
But it doesn't go into what the pigment is, or why they might do this...
Some plants just do that. My rose bushes have red leaves, until it grows bigger and turns green.
Often, plants use a pigment called anthocyanin. This is used in flowers as an attractant for bees but also used in leaves as a sun screen. In intense light conditions the plant will use it to protect the interior vascular systems from sun damage.
Interesting - so maybe these pigments showed up in response to strong light?
They do! Might be that this plant has a genetic variegation that causes it to be more red than it's neighbors. This plant is a delicious substitute for spinach by the way :)
Chenopodium giganteum (tree spinach)
Thanks!