> Dave Evans
Translocation of chlorophyll may be a hypothetically useful activity,
but I know of no evidence that it really occurs. I don't think chlorophyll
exists outside of the chloroplasts (in vascular plant cells), and the
chloroplasts themselves are not translocated. More likely the plant
translocates the breakdown products of chlorphyll and incorporates
them or energy derived from them in another chemical form for winter
storage. If chlorophyll was translocated one could expect to cut open
roots or other perennial structures and find them deep green in color...
On that though, one can cut open legume root nodules and find a red
coloration--it's hemoglobin! This oxygen-absorbing protein is produced
in the nodules, and by absorbing oxygen creates a favorable environment
for anaerobic nitrogen-fixing bacteria. CP's don't do this, but the
phenomenon may be interesting to fanciers of blood-thirsty plants :-)
Michael Chamberland