Spotted leaves of Chinese Tallow exhibiting a phenomenon known as the "green island" effect. The infection sites produce or retain cytokinins (plant hormones) that keep the chlorophyll active in that specific spot. As a result, while the rest of the leaf receives the signal to shut down for winter (losing its green chlorophyll and revealing the red anthocyanin pigments), the infected "islands" stay green and photosynthetically active. Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas

🎞️ #3780-34