When you go into a flower shop or are walking around your neighborhood you notice all the different and beautiful colors flowers have to offer. One question that might escape your mind though is why are there all these different colors and styles of flowers? How does the design of a flower or color(s) come about? Well just like us, people are born with different colored hair and eyes different heights and weights. All these varieties are determined before we are even born, by genes we attain from our parents.
Just like humans, flowers attain certain pigments from their genes that code for specific colors. These colors come into play a lot when it comes to pollination and reproduction. Color of a flower determines what kind of insects/animals will be attracted to it. The more insects/animals a flower can attract the better chance it has of reproduction.
Reproduction of most flowers involves attracting insects or animals with its bright color(s) and sweet pollen. When an insect lands on the flower some pollen will be rubbed onto the insects legs. That way when the insect goes to another flower it will transport the pollen onto that new flower and pollination will occur. That is why the genes of a flower that reproduces this way will code for bright colors.
Along with coding for bright colors plants with bright flowers will have pleasant tasting fruits. On the other hand plants that reproduce using wind transportation will have dull colors and wont be very attractive. Due to the fact that they dont need to attract insects/animals to transport their pollen or seeds. The fruit of these plants will be bitter and unpleasant.
After all this research on flowers genes, their pigments and how they reproduce are we able to create our own colors? According to Charles Lakewood in How Flowers Get Their Color "The answer is yes but it may be hard for just anyone to do this. Just ask Robert Griesbach he has figured out a way to turn roses bright blue. The trick is extracting just the right amount of pigment and implanting it into another to create a receipe for an entirely new color. By extracting certain genes from plants the future of plant color could be a wide variety of fabulous colors."
Now we know why and how flowers get their colors but how does the color of flowers affect us? When your buying flowers for someone for any occasionit can be helpful to know what emotion(s) the color of a flower can evoke. USAA.com explains "what colors might reveal about your feelings".
In The Color of Flowers Matter: The color blue is associated with calmness and peace. Purple represents dignity, success and pride which are fitting since this color has its origins in royalty. White is the essence of simplicity and has associations of humility and reverence. Representing grace and elegance lavender flowers are often considered the most delicate and precious. An arrangement filled with these gentle blossoms sends a message of feminine beauty.
Nothing says passion like a red rose. Pink generates thoughts of grace and happiness and pink blossoms convey youth, innocence and joy. For thousands of years, orange has symbolized energy and warmth. An arrangement of blooms in this vibrant colors conveys confidence, enthusiasm and a zest for life. Evoking a sense of nature, the color green represents health, resilience, good fortune and youth. So next time your purchase flowers for someone create an arrangement of colors that represent whatever feelings your trying to convey.
Just like humans, flowers attain certain pigments from their genes that code for specific colors. These colors come into play a lot when it comes to pollination and reproduction. Color of a flower determines what kind of insects/animals will be attracted to it. The more insects/animals a flower can attract the better chance it has of reproduction.
Reproduction of most flowers involves attracting insects or animals with its bright color(s) and sweet pollen. When an insect lands on the flower some pollen will be rubbed onto the insects legs. That way when the insect goes to another flower it will transport the pollen onto that new flower and pollination will occur. That is why the genes of a flower that reproduces this way will code for bright colors.
Along with coding for bright colors plants with bright flowers will have pleasant tasting fruits. On the other hand plants that reproduce using wind transportation will have dull colors and wont be very attractive. Due to the fact that they dont need to attract insects/animals to transport their pollen or seeds. The fruit of these plants will be bitter and unpleasant.
After all this research on flowers genes, their pigments and how they reproduce are we able to create our own colors? According to Charles Lakewood in How Flowers Get Their Color "The answer is yes but it may be hard for just anyone to do this. Just ask Robert Griesbach he has figured out a way to turn roses bright blue. The trick is extracting just the right amount of pigment and implanting it into another to create a receipe for an entirely new color. By extracting certain genes from plants the future of plant color could be a wide variety of fabulous colors."
Now we know why and how flowers get their colors but how does the color of flowers affect us? When your buying flowers for someone for any occasionit can be helpful to know what emotion(s) the color of a flower can evoke. USAA.com explains "what colors might reveal about your feelings".
In The Color of Flowers Matter: The color blue is associated with calmness and peace. Purple represents dignity, success and pride which are fitting since this color has its origins in royalty. White is the essence of simplicity and has associations of humility and reverence. Representing grace and elegance lavender flowers are often considered the most delicate and precious. An arrangement filled with these gentle blossoms sends a message of feminine beauty.
Nothing says passion like a red rose. Pink generates thoughts of grace and happiness and pink blossoms convey youth, innocence and joy. For thousands of years, orange has symbolized energy and warmth. An arrangement of blooms in this vibrant colors conveys confidence, enthusiasm and a zest for life. Evoking a sense of nature, the color green represents health, resilience, good fortune and youth. So next time your purchase flowers for someone create an arrangement of colors that represent whatever feelings your trying to convey.
"The Color of Flowers Matter." USAA. USAA, 20 Apr. 2010. Web. 25 Oct. 2010.
Lakewood Charles, "How Flowers Get Their Color."Pro Flowers. Web. 25 Oct. 2010.
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