Objective To investigated the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of leaf colorization of four Liquidambar formosana families under different environmental conditions in order to provide guidance for the breeding of L. formosana.

Method The change of the chlorophyll, carotenoid, anthocyanin and soluble sugar content in L. formosana leaf were assessed. The relationship between meteorological factors and the contents was also discussed.

Result The results showed that the leaf of L. formosana was gradually changed from green to red or dark red during the experiment. In addition, the change of leaf color of 4 L. formosana families showed significant difference. Some was dark red, whereas, another was yellow green. The chlorophyll content of L. formosana decreased during the experiment in a whole. The changing trend of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid were similar to the total chlorophyll content. The anthocyanin content increased significantly. The content of soluble sugar in L. formosana increased to different degrees. Correlation analysis showed that the anthocyanin content was positive correlated to the soluble sugar content. However, the anthocyanin content was negative correlated to the chlorophyll content, average temperature, and average humidity. Significant differences in the changes of chlorophyll content, carotenoid, anthocyanin, soluble sugar and red area of the leaf were found among families under different environmental conditions.

Conclusion The change of leaf color of L. formosana families showed different tendency under different environmental conditions, while significant difference of the change of leaf color under the same condition was also observed. The difference of temperature and the change of pigment ratio in the leaf resulted in the change of leaf color.