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.

  • BotB
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    91 year ago

    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 %

    Beep, boop

    I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically.

    • SalamanderOP
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      31 year ago

      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…

  • @[email protected]
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    81 year ago

    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.

    • SalamanderOP
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      31 year ago

      Interesting - so maybe these pigments showed up in response to strong light?

      • @[email protected]
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        21 year ago

        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 :)