Abstract: The experiment was conducted to investigate the formation reasons for different colors and the active ingredients content of red leaf Eucommia ulmoides variation-types. With seven red leaf E.ulmoides variation-types and one green leaf E.ulmoides, the color, pigments distribution and content, and active ingredients content in leaf were determined. The front of blade was dark red or purple red of seven red leaf E.ulmoides variation-types, and the palisade tissue was red or dark red. The backs of No.3, 5 and 6 were red with red lower epidermis, and those of No.1, 2, 4 and 7 were green with transparent lower epidermis. The contents of C_a, C_b and C_T in seven red leaf were lower than those of in control check leaf, while C_Car, C_F content and the value of C_Car/C_T and C_F/C_T were significantly higher than those of in control check leaf, and there were the differences of pigment content between seven red leaf. Five kinds of active ingredients content were high in seven red lea, and the contents of chlorogenic acid, geniposide, and total flavonoids were higher than those of in control check. The distribution and content of C_F and the value of C_F/C_T were the main reasons for different colors of seven red leaf, and the high content of active ingredients made it of great potential in the utilization of medicine. This study would provide materials for ornamental and medicine E.ulmoides resources.

Key words: red leaf Eucommia ulmoides variation-types, leaf, pigments, active ingredients