Re: What is the function or reddish abaxial leaf surface?

Green plants use red light. Philodendrons and juvinile philos and other plants are in light starved areas (like the forest floor or lower parts of a tree). In a low light situation any red light that is reflected back up from the lower parts of a plant can be recovered from the lower side of an upper leaf. The red coloring reflects the much need red light back down on to the upper surfaces of other leaves.
neil
---- Ferenc Lengyel <feri.lengyel@gmail.com> wrote: 
> What might be the function (if any) of the reddish color of the abaxial leaf
> surface of some Philodendrons? I have acuired a juvenile specimen of a
> houseplant (presumably Philodendron sagittifolium or a Holland hybrid) which
> has leaves colored reddish on the abaxial surface. The undreside of some
> leaves are more reddish than those of others, but the adaxial surface is
> always green. I have read that juvenile specimens of Philodendron melinonii
> and maybe other species has a reddish underside too. Why is it good for the
> plant to have a reddish leaf surface on the underside? I can imagine that a
> reddish color could provide protection of leaf tissues from excess sunshine,
> but I can't see any meaning of it on the underside.
> Ferenc

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