Country life Quote by John Jerome
““: “It’s all chemicals, says the biochemistry text. Chlorophylls keep the leaves green while thy are green, carotenoids – as in butter, corn, canary feathers – turn them yellow when the chlorophyll goes. Tannin adds the browns, the bronzes; something called anthocyanin turns leaves red if the sap of the plant is acidic, blue or purple if it is alkaline. Color is a substance, says the chemist.” – John Jerome, Stone Work: Reflections on Serious Play & Other Aspects of Country Life, p. 140.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Stone Work: Reflections on Serious Play & Other Aspects of Country Life, John Jerome, 2008
The quote explains how leaf colors result from chemical compounds that change with pH and pigment composition.
In simple terms: Leaf colors depend on chemicals and pH.
Key Takeaway
Observe chemistry in nature.
Themes
science
biology
environment
perception
chemistry
Mood
curious
analytical
educational
Type
informative
scientific
When to use this quote
- gardening
- forest walks
- educational biology lessons
- artistic color studies
Key Concepts
pigments
pH
anthocyanin
chlorophyll
carotenoids
tannin
Questions to Reflect On
- How do environmental factors influence leaf pigment changes?
- What other natural phenomena reveal chemistry?
A Different Perspective
The explanation simplifies complex biochemistry, which may overlook genetic regulation of pigment production.
![“[A]s my breath begins to quiet in the silent woods, I pick up a squeaking, creaking sound, growing steadily louder, that makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I snap my head up and overhead, oh my God, here comes three hundred, five hundred, a thousand Canada geese, maybe fifteen…” quote by John Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1c8/john-jerome-58169_money_a-s-my-breath-begins-to-quiet-in-the-sil_909396.jpg)
