Anthocyanin pigmentation in roots of Impatiens species

Abstract

A red anthocyanin pigmentation has been investigated in root tips and mature roots of seedlings and potted plants of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae): I. balfourii, I. balsamina, I. capensis, I. flaccida, I. linearifolia, I. platypetala, I. repens, I. schlechteri, I. sultani, I. uguenensis, and several hybrid cultivars. Reddening of root tips when present in young seedlings occurs also in mature plants and seems to be a continuing feature of root development. The appearance of red pigmentation in mature root tissues was sporadic and independent of the reddening of root tips. Leucoanthocyanidins (proanthocyanidins) were invariably detected whether anthocyanins were present or not. The root anthocyanins of I, balsamina and I. platypetala include a cyanidin-3-glycoside plus an additional, as yet unidentified, minor constituent.