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Chlorophyll is a green pigment that can appear in any part of the plant above ground. This pigment helps the plant manufacture its own energy through the capture of sunlight, a process called photosynthesis. This process is responsible for absorbing sunlight and converting it into chemical energy.

If the leaf has a green coloration, then the plant is working hard to produce energy, though there may be miniscule amounts of chlorophyll in areas with other predominant pigments.

Typically, leaves with strong beige, tan, or white colorations are unable to photosynthesize as efficiently due to their lack of chlorophyll. These areas of the plant may be completely unable to photosynthesis, or able to photosynthesized at a reduced rate.

Some non-plant creatures, such as certain species of aphids, have been discovered to contain chlorophyll in their skin, allowing them to perform a form of photosynthesis.

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