Which symptom is commonly observed in a shade plant when grown in full sun?

• A. Bleached/scorched leaves.
• B. Lush, dark green foliage.
• C. No change from normal appearance.
• D. Slower growth with deeper green color.

Answer: (A)

When a plant that is adapted to shade is exposed to full sun, its leaves can be damaged by too much light and heat. Shade plants have leaves and protective mechanisms suited for low light, so intense sun can overwhelm their photosystems, leading to tissue damage. The visible result is bleached or scorched leaves—pale patches or crispy, brown areas where the leaf tissue has been sunburned. This is a common stress symptom for shade-loving plants placed in bright sun.

The other possibilities don’t fit this stress pattern. Lush, dark green foliage suggests healthy growth under suitable light or a sun-tolerant species, not a shade plant suffering sun exposure. No change from normal appearance would be unlikely when a shade plant is hit with strong sunlight. Slower growth with deeper green color is more typical of shade-grown plants in low light, not shade plants in full sun.