Neelakurinji flowers adorn Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiri Hills after 12 years

The flowers of Neelakurinji are in full bloom and captivating the hearts of tourists visiting the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu. The blue-hued Neelakurinji flowers bloom once in 12 years, making it a momentous event for travelers visiting the valley. Recently, this phenomenon went viral on social media when Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Supriya Sahu shared captivating images of the rare Neelakurinji flowers in X.

“Kuttan, a member of the Toda tribe, sits proudly among the blooming Neelkurinji flowers in the Nilgiris. The Neelkurinji flowers bloom once in a 12-year cycle. It is said that the Nilgiris gets its name because of the magical blue hue they impart These stunning flowers Neelakurinji Strobilanthes kunthiana has more recently been evaluated for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2024. and classified as Vulnerable emphasizing the need for its conservation. Photos and video shared by a friend,” Sahu tweeted.

Kuttan, a member of the Toda tribe, sits proudly among the Neelakurinji flowers in the Nilgiris. Neelkurinji flowers bloom once in a 12-year cycle. Nilgiris is said to get its name due to the magical blue hue imparted by these stunning flowers. Neelakurinji Strobilanthes… pic.twitter.com/ugEgsxBiUk

— Supriya Sahu IAS (@supriyasahuias) September 26, 2024

A brief history of Neelakurinji

Neelakurinji, also known as Strobilanthes kunthiana, is a rare and beautiful flower that blooms once in 12 years in the Western Ghats, particularly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

While the West has lavender, India has a stunning sea of ​​blue-purple flowers. The plant creates an impressive natural spectacle that attracts visitors from all over the world. Neelakurinji plays an important role in the ecology and cultural heritage of the region, symbolizing renewal and natural wonder.

Also read: Picturesque Hill Stations in South India That You Shouldn’t Miss This Summer

Why does Neelakurinji bloom once in 12 years?

Neelakurinji blooms once in 12 years due to a unique biological phenomenon called gregarious flowering. Gregarious flowering means that all plants of a species will grow at the same time and this fixed flowering cycle is known as mast seeding. Now the timing differs from plant to plant, while the genetics of the Neelakurinji plant are programmed to flower after 12 years.

After flowering and producing seeds, the plant dies and new plants grow from the seeds that had fallen due to the winds, starting the new cycle again, leading to the next flowering 12 years later. This prolonged cycle of flowering and dying makes Neelakurinji a rare and fascinating phenomenon in the plant kingdom.