Senescence in Leaves of Acer pseudoplatanus L. and Parthenocissus tricuspidata Planch

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Abstract
Data are recorded of the changes in chlorophylls, carotene, sugar, shikimic acid, and anthocyanin in leaves of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus tricuspidata Planch.) during leaf maturity and senescence. In Parthenocissus the losses of chlorophylls, carotene, sugar, and shikimic acid during senescence were closely correlated, and were inversely related to the accumulation of anthocyanin. The losses of chlorophylls, carotene, and sugar by Acer leaves were also closely correlated. No evidence was found to support the suggestion that anthocyanin formation was caused by accumulation of sugar during senescence, but marked differences in shikimic acid content were found between leaves of Acer, which did not form anthocyanin, and Parthenocissus. which did. It is suggested that autumn senescence of these leaves involves the rapid senescence of an increasing proportion of the leaf tissue during a period of 80 days, and that measurements of the content of constituents give an estimate of the proportion of the leaf tissue which has senesced.