Friday, 26 October 2018

A Year of Late Cornish Day 298

Dew Cansves Dedh Pajer Ügens hag Etek

De Gwener, wheffes warn ügens mis Hedra.
Friday, 26th October

Liw rüdh en delkyow, garednow, flourys, losow ha frûtys ew dhort “anthocyanins” en killigow. Ma sagh bian e’n cres a lies killik, leun a liw dowrek. En dowr trenk thew an liw rüdh (gwrewgh pedery a eysyl ha bettys rüdh). Po nag eus dowr trenk thew an liw purpur po glas (gwrewgh pedery adro dhe vellyon). Frûtys rüdh ew da gen edhyn – ma hebma o qweres despersans has (war aga gòlvadnas po en aga theyl). Nebes bestes a gar debry del glas – ma rüdh o cüdha an glas en nebes planjow ha rag hedna nag eus pecar dynyans. Ma moy “anthocyanins” gwres en kidnyadh. Ma hebma o rei dhen liwyow kidnyavek.  


Red colour in leaves, stalks, flowers, vegetables and fruits is due to “anthocyanins” in cells. There is a little sac in the centre of many cells, full of watery colour. In acid the colour is red (think of vinegar and beetroot). If there is no acid the colour is purple or blue (think about violets). Birds like red fruits – this helps seed dispersal (on their beaks or in their poo). Some animals love eating green leaves – red hides the green in some plants and so there is not the same appeal. More anthocyanins are made in autumn. This gives us autumnal colours.




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