Blue leaves help begonias harvest energy in low light
Tiny structures give plants iridescent color, aid photosynthesis in shady conditions
Iridescent blue leaves on some begonias aren’t just for show — they help the plants harvest energy in low light.
The begonias’ chloroplasts, which use photosynthesis to convert light into fuel, have a repeating structure that allows the plants to efficiently soak up light. This comes in handy for a plant that lives on the shady forest floor. The structure acts as a “photonic crystal” that preferentially reflects blue wavelengths of light and helps the plant better absorb reds and greens for energy production, scientists report October 24 in Nature Plants.