An interesting phenomenon is that some light-demanding plants fold their leaves when exposed to high light. Since high light could induce selective photodamage to photosystem II (PSII), we suggest that the leaves fold themselves to diminish the absorption of light energy and remedy the deficiency of physiological photoprotection for PSII. To test this hypothesis, we determined light responses of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and cyclic electron flow (CEF) and the effect of high light on PSII activity in Microcos paniculata (non-foldable species) and Bauhinia tenuiflora (foldable species). Under high light B. tenuiflora showed much lower NPQ and CEF than M. paniculata. Meanwhile, the excess light energy that cannot be harmlessly dissipated in B. tenuiflora was more compared with that in M. paniculata. After exposure to a high light of 1,900 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1) for 2 h, the maximum quantum yield of PSII, as estimated by variable to maximal fluorescence (F (v) /F (m)) decreased from 0.7 to 0.52 in the foldable species B. tenuiflora but was stable at 0.7 in the nonfoldable species M. paniculata. These results indicate that the foldable species B. tenuiflora has more sensitivity of PSII to high light stress than the nonfoldable species M. paniculata, partly as a result of less CEF and NPQ in B. tenuiflora. Our results suggest that sun leaves fold themselves under high light to remedy the deficiency of physiological photoprotection for PSII.