two-toned

i learned somewhere that this two-toned coloring happens to leaves when part of the leaf is shaded, and the the other part is in full sun. sounds reasonable to me. i know if i lay in the sun, half in shade and half in full sun, the exact same thing happens to me too.

unidentified autumn leaf

hidden in the shadows

this burning bush wanted to turn red, but it was hidden in the understory. the pale pinky-coral a welcome relief to the saturated leaves that stole its light. i have a soft spot for the plants that make-do; the weeds that grow between the cracks of concrete, or the fig trees that grow out the sides of stone walls. their resilience makes me hopeful.

burning bush in autumn

jujubes

burning bush is a popular landscaping plant near me, one of those foundation plants people seem to plop willy-nilly around their homes to cover up unsightly utility boxes and windowsills. it is totally unremarkable all year long except for three glorious weeks in ocotober when it turns every conceivable variation of red, yellow and green…before going out in a single massive flame of brilliant red.  burning bush is peaking right now.  i plucked these jujube-colored leaves from a single bush today while walking the puggle. then i spent the entire rest of may walk salivating for jujubes. it’s probably been 30 years since i’ve had, or thought of, jujubes. but, suddenly it is all i want.

fall leaves from the same burning bush (Euonymus alatus)

cheetah prints

a lot of leaves here lately. but, hey, i will be aching for these patterns and colors in less than two months. i thought these leaves looked like leopard prints when i picked them off the tree today…until i got home an googled leopard print, and learned that they are not leopardy at all, they are cheetahy. i have never been one to wear or decorate with faux-furs, but this spotted poplar-leaf motif i could get behind. hmmm, come to think of it, this might make an interesting scarf. move over hermès, i’ve got you in my crosshairs.

poplar leaves in autumn

golden yellows now prevail

ash, elm, basswood, poplar, birch, cottonwood, aspen, sugar maple…now is the time for the yellow leaves. turns out, yellow is easy for leaves. because the yellow is there all the time, it just gets swamped by the chlorophyl. as the chlorophyl breaks down in autumn, the yellow that has always been there becomes visible. red, on the other hand, still has scientists mystified. we know how the leaves turn red (it’s something about anthocyanins and built up sugars). but we don’t know why! there are competing theories as two why leaves turn red, the leading explanation having to do with protecting the tree from sunburn at a vulnerable time. sounds pretty weak, right?  any botany students out there (Josie?)…here’s your thesis subject. you’re welcome.

assemblage of yellow fall leaves