Sarracenia

[eplants02]

What causes Sarracenia to lose their red color (Anthocyanins)?

For example, S. Purpurea ssp Purpurea ---> S. Purpurea ssp Purpurea hetereophylla.

 

[sarracenia]

Genetics. If the anthocyanin-producing gene(s) are recessive, no anthocyanins will be produced. How it ever came about in the first place, probably a mutation.

 

[eplants02]

Then what causes the top of the S. Leucophylla to be white?

 

[Alvin Meister]

Genetics again. The same reasons why some people have black hair, some people have red. Incidently, the white areoles are incapable of photosynthesis, so it's a trade off between attracting insects and producing energy from the sun.

 

[pond boy]

Well, they could photoshentasise to a very limited degree as clorophyll is not absolutely necesary for photoshenthesis,clorophyll just speeds up the process,but the amount of photosynthesis taking place without clorophyll can not sustain a plant. btw clorphyll is a catalyst speeding up the conversion of minerals,carbon dioxide,and water.