Nature is home to a variety of beautiful wonders, and now it’s time for you to explore some of these in a personal scavenger hunt!
Take a picture of anything you see along the trail that falls under these color categories:
- Red
- Orange
- Yellow
- Green
- Blue
Some of the most colorful items along a trail and in the Treasure Forest are leaves, especially in the fall!
How Many Types of Leaves Can You Find?
Did you know there are many different ways leaves can be arranged? Here are the 5 ways that leaves can be arranged on a plant or tree:
- Alternate: leaves connect to the stem one at a time
- Opposite: leaves connect to the stem in pairs
- Whorled: leaves connect to the stem in groups, making a whorl
- Basal: leaves connect to the base of the plant
- Rosette: leaves at the base of the plant that point in many directions, forming a circle.
Why Do Leaves Change Colors?
All leaf color comes from pigments. These are natural substances produced by leaf cells to help them obtain food. Along with the chlorophyll that makes leaves green, there are carotenes, which make them yellow and anthocyanins, which create reds and pinks.
In the fall, because of changes in the length of daylight and changes in temperature, the leaves stop their food-making process. The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow to orange colors become visible and give the leaves part of their fall splendor.
“Alternate, Opposite, Whorled, Basal, Rosette.” PlantID.net, https://plantid.net/Classic/Glossary/Leaf%20Arrangement.htm.
Palm, Carl E. “Environmental Information Series Why Leaves Change Color.” SUNY ESF, https://www.esf.edu/eis/eis-leaves-color-change.php.
“This Look & Learn content is part of a 2025 Girl Scout Gold Award project by Sarah Sloughfy.”