I noticed this leaf because at a glance it looked heart shaped and I liked the colors. As I got closer I could see where a pinch in the stem had occurred. This has caused the green pigments in the leaf to break down. Chlorophyll is what gives the leaves their green color.

During the spring and summer leaves create food for the tree by absorbing sunlight into their many cells that contain chlorophyll. The sunlight is the energy that is used by the leaf in transforming carbon dioxide and water to carbohydrates, such as starch and sugars.

Once leaves stop their food making process, the chlorophyll begins to break down so the green color disappears and the other pigments become visible.