The end of that buttercup myth

Wednesday 14 December 2011 01:00 GMT

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Scientists have discovered why buttercups glow yellow under people's chins – and it has nothing to do with liking butter.

Physicists and plant scientists at Cambridge University discovered that the buttercup's appearance is the result of the interplay between its different layers. The strong yellow reflection is mainly due to the epidermal layer of the petal that reflects yellow light.

They also found that the buttercup reflects a significant amount of UV light that attracts insects.

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The end of that buttercup myth

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