Exploring the Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kuthianus)

The Neelakurinji belongs to the “Acanthaceae” family and the “Strobilanthes” genus. The Nilgiri Range in Munnar, Kerala, acts as a sanctuary for this rare plant.

• The Kurinji plant typically thrives at an altitude of 1300 – 2400 m and grows to a height of 30 – 60 cm.
• The Neelakurinji takes 12 years to mature and bloom en masse. Such plants with extended blooming cycles are known as plietesials.
• The last grand spectacle of Neelakurinji blossoming was witnessed in 2018 in various locations in Munnar. The next blooming is anticipated in 2030.
• The flowers of the Neelakurinji are a striking purple-blue shade.
• Other species of Kurinji, such as the Strobilanthes cuspadatus, bloom every 7 years and then wither and die. Different Kurinji species have varying maturation periods.
• Species belonging to the Strobilanthes genus have unique flowering cycles, with some blooming annually while others take as long as 16 years.

The Habitat of Neelakurinji

The Neelakurinji is not limited to the Western Ghats but can also be found in the Eastern Ghats' Shevroys, the Annamalai hills of Idukki district, Agali hills of Palakkad in Kerala, and Sandur hills of Bellary district in Karnataka. In 2021, Neelakurinji flowers were found blooming in the Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve in the Chamarajanagar District of Karnataka.

Interesting Facts about Neelakurinji Flowers

• Globally, there are about 250 species of Kurinji.
• Of these, around 46 different Kurinji species are found in India, with the majority growing in the Western Ghats.
• The term Neelakurinji translates to “blue flower” in Malayalam.
• The name Neelakurinji is believed to have been derived from the Kunthi river that meanders through the Silent Valley National Park in Kerala.
• The Nilgiri mountains earned their name from the Neelakurinji flowers, with Nilgiri translating to "Blue Mountains".
• Kurinji honey is often referred to as "liquid gold" due to its high value.
• The Paliyan tribe in Tamil Nadu used the blooming cycle of the Neelakurinji flower as a means to calculate their age.

The Conservation Efforts for Kurinji

• The Kurinjimala Sanctuary in the Vallavada and Kottakamboor villages of the Idukki district is dedicated to preserving the Kurinji plant. The sanctuary spans 32 square kilometres and conducts various campaigns and events to promote ecosystem conservation.
• The Kurinji Andavar Temple situated in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, dedicated to God Murugan, also plays a crucial role in the conservation of these plants.

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