X
is for...Xanthophylls
Xanthophylls
are a class of organic compounds that are responsible for the yellow, orange,
red and brown colours of fruits, vegetables and other plant parts.
Specifically, the colours of autumn foliage and dropped leaves can be
attributed to them.
X is a tough letter, probably the toughest. But not to panic! - nature has an answer for everything, the toughest problems, the deepest cuts, the unkindest of knocks. Go to her and she will soothe all trauma, heal all injuries, calm everything down so one's in a fit state to present oneself again with the appropriate response to every crisis.
Here are some examples of xanthophylls from my peregrinations various, some in Fiji, others elsewhere.
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| Garden of the Sleeping Giant. Fiji. 2022. |
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| Guadalquivir corniche, Seville, Spain. 2015. |
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| Lautoka waterfront. Fiji. 2022. |
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| On the way to St Paul's School, Jalapahar, Darjeeling. 2013. |
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| Lautoka waterfront, Fiji. 2022. |
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| Madaba, Jordan. 2013. |
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| As the tide recedes. Marine Dr, Lautoka, Fiji. 2022. |
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| Ravindra Sarovar, Kolkata. 2020. |
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| Lautoka waterfront, Fiji. 2022. |
Incidentally, the yellow colour of
turmeric, the ubiquitous spice used in nearly all Indian recipes, is also
imparted by a xanthophyll. So are the colours in pawpaw, corn and
peaches. But there's a certain romantic vibe about fallen, yellow leaves
which is entirely lacking in those mundane everyday foods. I mean, pawpaw?
Heck, no! So that's my X - xanthophylls.
A-Z Challenge 2022
Thank you for this generous gift of the solace of nature.
ReplyDeleteHi Nila - yes ... I've always enjoyed X - being inventive with my posts (as they used to be) ... I love your photos and variations on Xanthophylls - fun to see and read about. What's the seed on the seashore? Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteOh yes, today we had like mind and I chose 'xanth' too!!! Different direction in the post though... Loved yours and seeing all the presentations of xanthophylls. YAM xx
X=Xanthic
I noticed two xanths today and I must admit to never having heard it before!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant X pics - and I love fallen leaves. I like that you have pics from all over the world. X-tremely good post
ReplyDeleteIt's a good "X" post, too.
ReplyDeleteeXcited about your post and seeing the yellows in your life. I used a xanthic post a year or two ago. Where I live, yellow is a major spring color - forsythias, daffodils and other spring flowers come in shades of yellow. And, eventually, we have the fall leaves, too.
ReplyDelete