BBC Wildlife Magazine

Why do begonias have blue leaves?

- SB

Many begonias have a blue hue – the Malaysian Begonia pavonina in particular. In low-light, the microscopi­c surface structure of the chloroplas­ts is reorganise­d to reflect blue light, enabling more high-energy green and red light to be absorbed. A blue begonia can harvest 10 per cent more light energy in dim conditions than a green one.

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