Neelakurinji Blooms: Things To Know About Rare Blue Flowers That Blossom After 12 Years

By Team LatestlyAugust 19, 2021
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Neelakurinji Bloom Once Every 12 Years

The rare purplish blue flowers blossoms only once in 12 years.

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Neelakurinji Flowers at Karnataka's Mandalpatti Hills

Recently, a carpet of blue flowers bloomed at Mandalpatti hill in Kodagu district, Karnataka

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Neelanurinkji Blooms in Idukki's Shantanpara Shalom Hills

Earlier, this month, blue Neelakurinji flowers blossomed in Idukki's Shalomkunnu (Shalom hills ) under the Santhanpara Panchayat.

Image Credit: ANI

Scientific Name of Neelakurinji Flowers

Kurinji or Neelakurinji, scientifically known as Strobilanthus kunthianus.

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How Does Neelakurinji Get Its Name?

The flower gets it name because of its appearance, Neela meaning blue and Kurinji meaning flower in the local language.

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How Many Species of Neelakurinji Are Found In India?

With 46 species of Kurinjis found in India, the Neelakurinji is native to the Shola forest of the Western Ghats.

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Where Are They Found?

They bloom in the shola forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

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How Does it Help Calculate Age?

The first settlers of Kodaikanal, the Paliyan and Puliyan tribe are believed to have used the Neelakurinji blooming cycle to calculate their age.

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