What is the chemical process flower pigmentation?

Answer 1

Flavonoids are widely distributed in plants fulfilling many functions including producing yellow or red/blue pigmentation in flowers and protection from attack by microbes and insects. The widespread distribution of flavonoids, their variety and their relatively low toxicity compared to other active plant compounds (for instance alkaloids) mean that many animals, including humans, ingest significant quantities in their diet. Flavonoids have been found in high concentrations in butterflies and moths sequestered from dietary intake at the larval stage and then stored in adult tissues.

Over 5000 naturally occurring flavonoids have been characterized from various plants.

Examples: Cyanidin, Delphinidin, Malvidin, Pelargonidin, Peonidin, Petunidin, Luteolin, Kaempferol, Myricetin, Hesperetin, Naringenin, Theaflavin.

The vacuole stores flavonoid pigments in flower cells.