transmitted vs reflected light from leaves

[sonoranfans]

I was walking around the yard and observing palms with the sun and I saw a great example of the palm exhibiting transmitted and reflected light.  WHen the light is transmitted with the leaf between the observer and the sun you can readily see the yellow K deficiency spots since the yellow carotenoids (in absence of chlorophyll) are in the pallisade mesophyll layer(inner layer).  I bend the leaf so most of the sun doesnt pall through to the observer so reflected light dominates.  THe leaf color of the reflected light is blue grey, the transmitted light is yellowish.  One hypothese would be the wax is gone at those spots but themn they would not change cvolor as I bent the leaf if that was so.  First is the leaf directly between the me and the sun, second I bend a leaf so there is much less transmission, 3rd the opposite side of the leaf(sun at the observers back).  This was an older leaf that became deficient while it was in a container.  Newer leaves show  little to no deficiency.  This also tells you that chromophores are more visible in transmitted light which also tell you the converse that they are less visible in reflected light.  So any ambient conditions(position, sunlight intensity) that favors transmitted light will have more greenish hues than the view dominated by reflective light which will appear more blue/grey.  

[sonoranfans]

So when you take photos of your own blue palms or observe another board members pic keep that in mind.  Also imagine what happens when they grow tall, you will see less blue(more transmitted light) and more K deficiency if present.  One exception is an aerial photo will always be blue even when they are tall, as it is nearly all reflected light.

[Johnny Palmseed]

Man I should have paid more attention in school.

[TampaBayRay]

Science!