The mysterious albino sequoias that survive without chlorophyll by helping nearby trees

    According to the law of nature, albino sequoias could not exist due to a lack of chlorophyll, the green pigment that allows plants to survive thanks to the magic of chlorophyll photosynthesis.

    According to the law of nature, the albine sequoia they could not exist for lack of chlorophyll, the green pigment that allows plants to survive thanks to the magic of chlorophyll photosynthesis.





    Yet in California, the albino sequoias, renamed as ghost redwoods due to their characteristic of blending in with the surrounding environment, they exist and various researchers have been studying them for some time. Now the biologist Zane Moore of the University of California seems to have found a possible explanation for their survival.

    In general, in the scientific sphere, the sequoias are considered "complicated" trees, are among the tallest on earth and boast a longevity of over 2500 years old, they have six chromosomes instead of two and none so far, he has been able to study exactly the genome.

    The mysterious albino sequoias that survive without chlorophyll by helping nearby treesPhoto: Kevin Bertolero / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

    It must also be said that their roots communicate and that during the lean periods, they are able to share with each other the nutrients they need. But in reality then in the summer everyone continues to live alone, so how is it possible that the albino sequoias do not die?

    According to Moore, these trees are smarter than one might think.

    “We have found that these trees like to grow where soil conditions are less healthy and we speculate that it is precisely these characteristics that make them thrive. By analyzing their white leaves, we saw that they are a deadly cocktail of cadmium, copper and nickel, ”he says Moore.

    The mysterious albino sequoias that survive without chlorophyll by helping nearby trees Photo: Redwood Costa / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

    In practice, the white needles contained twice as many metals.


    “Albino trees appear to be able to suck these heavy metals out of the ground. In practice they poison themselves and survive ”.

    Based on this hypothesis, Moore theorizes that the color of trees is not due to pests, but rather to the fact that they act as tank incorporating all the harmful substances even from neighboring trees in exchange for sugar to survive.


    If the theory is confirmed, albino trees could be planted in polluted areas to contribute to the survival of other species.

    Dominella Trunfio

    Foto: CC BY 2.0 Cole Shatto / Redwood Coast

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