Why Some Plants Grow Red Leaves in Spring and Summer, Not Just Autumn
Leaf colour change is usually linked to autumn, yet some plants develop red leaves in spring and summer too. An article by Latvian public media LSM presents this as a plant defence strategy.
In autumn, green leaves give way to other colours, and this can be seen in both wild plants and cultivated crops. Deciduous trees and shrubs are the most noticeable, but they are not the only plants that change colour at this time of year.
An article published by LSM, Latvia's public media outlet, in its nature and animals section draws attention to a different phenomenon: the leaves of some plants turn red as early as summer, when autumn is still far off. The article asks why this happens.
Its headline describes this kind of leaf colouring as a cunning defence strategy and states that plants produce red leaves not only in autumn but also in spring and summer.
