Plantskolor

Plantskolor is the study and cataloguing of color in plants, focusing on the range and patterns of coloration in flowers, foliage, stems, and fruit. In horticulture and botany the term covers pigment chemistry, genetic variation, and environmental effects that produce visible colors, aiding cultivar naming and breeding decisions.

Colors in plants mainly derive from pigments such as chlorophylls (green), carotenoids (yellow to orange), and flavonoids, notably anthocyanins (reds, purples, and blues). Some plants produce betalains. Structural coloration from cell organization can also affect hue and saturation in petals, expanding the observable spectrum.

Color is genetically controlled, often by multiple genes that regulate pigment production and deposition. Environmental factors—light quality, temperature, soil pH, nutrients, and aging—can alter expression. For example, hydrangea flower color responds to soil pH and aluminum, while autumn leaf color results from pigment breakdown and shifting carotenoid visibility.

Measurement and classification rely on standardized color systems and imaging. Catalogs employ swatch charts, while researchers use spectrophotometry and color coordinates such as CIELAB. Calibrated digital photography also supports consistent color documentation, important for cultivar registration and marketing.

Applications include breeding for ornamental color, naming and branding cultivars, and labeling in catalogs and databases. Plantskolor informs studies of pollination and ecology and helps consumers select plants for gardens and floriculture.

Color perception varies with lighting and viewing conditions, and colors can change after harvest. Some hues are unstable under heat or sun exposure, and genetic segregation can shift color in offspring. Despite limitations, plantskolor provides a practical framework for describing and selecting plant coloration.