The Differentiation of Pigmentation in Flower Parts. Iii. Metabolism of Some Exogenous Anthocyanins by Detached Petals of Impatiens Balsamina

The anthocyanins of mature petals of Impatiens balsamina L. are distinct from the pigments found in vegetative tissue. In the red genotype (llHHP r P r ) a sequential elaboration of the characteristic anthocyanins has been previously demonstrated through the examination of buds at successive stages of development. The metabolism of anthocyanins, especially pelargonidin‐3‐mono‐glucoside, was examined by infiltration into developing petals of a genetically white strain. This anthocyanin appears to play a central role in the biochemical sequences involved and it has been observed that the genetically white flowers possess the enzymatic potential to metabolize this substrate, producing the same final products which are produced in the red genotype. There is a pattern of change in the relative amounts of each anthocyanin during the incubation period which follows closely the pattern which occurs during normal development of the colored genotypes. This indicates that the enzymes which are normally produced in the colored flowers are also produced in flowers which never produce anthocyanins. The metabolic capabilities of several other genetic strains and the influence of light and puromycin have been examined.