The recent news has brought to light the identification of six new species of Neelakurinji flowers in the Western Ghats’ Santhanpara region, specifically on Kallippara hills. These flowers have dramatically blossomed over a vast area of these hills located in Idukki, Kerala.
What are Neelakurinji Flowers?
Neelakurinji, derived from ‘Neela’ meaning blue and ‘Kurinji’ referring to flowers, represents a fundamental part of the local flora. As it matures, its distinctive light blue color transitions into a more purplish-blue shade. This vibrant coloring has famously given the ‘Nilgiri Mountain Range’ its name.
Perhaps more intriguingly, this plant is named after the Kunthi River that gracefully weaves its way through Kerala’s Silent Valley National Park. It is here that you can find an abundant growth of these blooming beauties. They typically thrive better at elevations between 1,300 and 2,400m. For those more scientifically inclined, its formal designation is Strobilanthes Kunthiana.
New Varities of Neelakurinji Discovered
The newly identified types of neelakurinji flowers from the hill ranges include Strobilanthes Anamallaica, Strobilanthes Heyneanus, Strobilanthes Pulnyensis, and Strobilanthes Neoasper. These discoveries only add to the vibrant diversity of the neelakurinji species.
Habitat of Neelakurinji Species
While these species might have been discovered in the Kallippara hills, their natural habitat extends to the Shola Forest of the Western Ghats. Across India, statistics indicate the existence of more than 40 different varieties of neelakurinji, demonstrating the floral richness of the country.
Flower Bloom Cycle
The bloom cycle of the neelakurinji flowers further adds to their allure. The neelakurinji only blooms once every 12 years, due to a lengthier pollination period required by these flowers. The last recorded bloom was in 2006. While the next bloom was anticipated in 2018, forest fires sadly impeded this natural spectacle from taking place.
Additional Information about Neelakurinji
The cultural relevance of these flowers is equally significant. Historically, the ‘Paliyan’ tribe in Tamil Nadu utilized the Neelakurinji flowers as a means to calculate age. Furthermore, globally, there are nearly 250 distinct Neelakurinji species, further emphasizing the rich diversity of this plant group.