Green is one of the most common colors found in nature. Many plants, trees, and vegetables contain shades of green due to the presence of chlorophyll, a pigment that is essential for photosynthesis. Beyond the plant kingdom, there are also numerous examples of animals, minerals, and man-made objects that exhibit various hues of green. In this article, we will explore some of the most common things that are generally green in color.
Plants and Vegetables
Perhaps the most obvious category of green things is plants and vegetables. Here are some of the most common examples:
- Trees – Most trees have green leaves for at least part of the year. Evergreen trees stay green year-round while deciduous trees shed their leaves in fall and regrow them in spring.
- Grass – All types of grasses and lawn turf contain green blades. This includes everything from lawn grass to wheat grasses.
- Bushes and shrubs – Like trees, most bushes and shrubs have green leaves. This includes popular landscaping plants like boxwoods and hydrangeas.
- Herbs – Common culinary herbs like basil, parsley, cilantro, and mint have green leaves.
- Vegetables – Broccoli, peas, zucchini, brussels sprouts, green beans, asparagus, artichokes, cucumbers, and many other vegetables are green.
- Algae – Green algae can be found growing in ponds, lakes, and oceans. It plays an important ecological role in aquatic environments.
The green color in all these plants comes from chlorophyll. This pigment absorbs blue and red light from the sun and reflects green light back to our eyes. Chlorophyll allows plants to convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis. Without it, most plants would not be able to produce their own food.
Animals
While less common than green plants, there are also several animals that display green colors:
| Animal | Description |
|---|---|
| Green tree frog | This small frog is bright green and can change shades based on its surroundings as camouflage. |
| Parrot | Parrots like the green-winged macaw have green feathers on their wings and tails. |
| Emerald tree boa | This non-venomous snake has scales that are vivid green. |
| Katydid | Katydids are a type of green-bodied leaf insect commonly found in gardens. |
| Sea turtle | While their shells are often brown, sea turtles have greenish-colored fat and muscles. |
As with plants, green pigments allow many of these animals to blend in with foliage as camouflage and avoid predators. The green color comes from biliverdin, a pigment produced from the breakdown of hemoglobin. Some frogs and other amphibians can actually change color by dispersing or aggregating pigment in special cells called chromatophores.
Minerals and Gems
A variety of minerals and gemstones also exhibit green coloration:
| Mineral/Gemstone | Description |
|---|---|
| Emerald | A precious gemstone that is perhaps the most famous green mineral. Emeralds get their color from trace amounts of chromium and/or vanadium. |
| Green aventurine | A translucent quartz mineral that contains inclusions of green mica or chlorite that produce its greenish hue. |
| Malachite | A strikingly green copper mineral often polished and used for decoration. |
| Green beryl | Varieties of the beryl mineral family that lack the clarity and blue undertones to be considered true emeralds. |
| Olivine | An iron-magnesium silicate mineral that can exhibit olive-green colors. |
The trace elements present in the atomic structure of these minerals are responsible for absorbing certain wavelengths of light and producing the green hue. Impurities change the way the crystalline lattices of the minerals reflect and transmit light.
Man-made Objects
Beyond what is found in nature, humans have created various materials and products that are green:
- Green traffic lights – Traffic lights use green lights to signal that vehicles can proceed through intersections.
- U.S. currency – American paper money uses green ink to print the backs of bills.
- Green paints and dyes – Paints like emerald, mint, and forest greens are widely available. Green fabric dyes like malachite green are also used.
- Green clothes and accessories – Clothing, shoes, jewelry and other accessories come in various shades of green.
- Green foods – Food coloring can produce green-colored foods like mint chocolate chip ice cream, green macaroni and cheese, and more.
- Green glass – Iron oxide can be added to glass to create green tinted glass.
The specific pigments and dyes used to color these objects green vary. But the hue evokes nature and carries cultural associations like environmentalism, renewal, wealth, and more. Humans are drawn to emulate the green hues found in the natural world.
Conclusion
Green is a prevalent color in nature that is essential to photosynthesis in plants and provides camouflage in animals. Beyond chlorophyll and biliverdin, the color can also be produced by trace minerals like chromium, vanadium, iron, and copper. Humans have replicated these hues found in nature to color various commercial products, foods, textiles, accessories and more. So when we ask what things are generally green, the list spans the botanical, zoological, mineralogical, and man-made worlds. Whether occurring naturally or artificially, there is just something universally appealing about the color green.
