1. Color: This is the most obvious change, as leaves transition from green to shades of yellow, orange, red, or brown. This change is due to the breakdown of chlorophyll (the green pigment) and the reveal of other pigments like carotenoids (yellow and orange) and anthocyanins (red and purple).
2. Texture: As leaves age and lose moisture, their texture can become brittle and dry. This is because the cells within the leaf begin to break down, causing the leaf to become less flexible and more easily crumbled.
3. Shape: While not always noticeable, leaves may slightly change shape as they lose water. They can become more curled, wrinkled, or even slightly smaller. This is a result of the loss of turgor pressure, which is the pressure within the cells that helps keep the leaf rigid.
