violaxanthin
/ˌvʌɪələˈzanθɪn/Biochemistry
noun
A xanthophyll pigment widely distributed in plant chloroplasts, where it is involved in biochemical responses to excessive light levels, and present as a yellow colouring in flowers such as daffodils and yellow pansies.
- Chemical formula: C40H56O4..
Origin
1930s; earliest use found in Chemical Abstracts. From viola + xanthin, after German Viola-xanthin.