Botany

Chlorophylls, carotenoids, and anthocyanins are the primary pigment classes in the plant kingdom. Understanding their molecular structure reveals why leaves turn red in autumn and why certain flowers attract specific pollinators. These same principles form the scientific basis of seasonal colour analysis in image consulting.

The extraordinary diversity of leaf shapes — from the needle-like leaves of conifers to the broad, lobed leaves of oaks — reflects adaptations to light, water, and temperature. Leaf texture, venation patterns, and surface coatings are studied both in plant science and in textile and material design.

One of the most economically and aesthetically significant plant families, Rosaceae includes roses, apples, cherries, almonds, and strawberries. The family's characteristic five-petalled flowers and hypanthium structure make it one of the most recognisable in botany. Rose hip extract and rosehip oil are widely used in hair and skin care.

Terpenes are a vast class of organic compounds produced by plants, responsible for the characteristic scents of lavender, eucalyptus, and rosemary. Beyond fragrance, many terpenes have demonstrated biological activity relevant to scalp health, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy is one of the most fundamental in biology. Chlorophyll's selective absorption of red and blue light — and its reflection of green — explains why the plant kingdom is predominantly green, and why green is so deeply associated with nature, balance, and growth in colour psychology.

Cold-pressed, steam-distilled, and solvent-extracted botanical oils each yield different chemical profiles. Argan, jojoba, baobab, and marula oils have distinct fatty acid compositions that determine their emollient, occlusive, or penetrating properties in hair and skin formulations.