The Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana)

A plant of Strobilanthes Kunthiana during blooming

The Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) is a gregarious flowering shrub, endemic to the high altitude grasslands above 1200 meters of Western Ghats. Neelakurinji is a well representative of Southern Montana Hill Temperate Grasslands of Western Ghats. The duodecennial massive blooming of Neelakurinji, they delight in their identity from the rare purplish blue flowers of Neelakurinji that envelope the Anaimalai Hills, Palani hills and the Nilgiris in Western Ghats. The Neelakurinji blooming in the grassy undulating hills in the Munnar landscape particularly in the Eravikulam National Park has considered among the other natural wonders. Eravikulam National Park is the prime attraction in Munnar, which has become one of the most sought after tourist destinations in India. Its aesthetic grandeur and the possibility of seeing the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and Neelakurinji at close quarters at Rajamala. 

Figure.1: Life cycle of Strobilanthes kunthiana

 (Drawn by Rajan Pilakandy)

Recent studies reported that, about 64 species of Strobilanthes are recoded from the Western Ghats, of which approximately 20 species are seen in Eravikualm National Park itself. The Anaimalai Hills in South Western Ghats particularly in the Munnar landscape is well known for the massive blooming of Neelkurinji.  This semelparous species has synchronized flowering and mass seeding. After the flowering followed by seeding, the plants die away. Dispersed seeds get germinate during the next monsoon and continue to their life cycle for next 12 years (Figure.1).

Neelakurinji is an entomophilic (pollinated by insects) flower and the main pollinator is Indian Honey Bee (Apis cerana indica). The massive blooming and the resplendence of the flowers attract the pollinators and the flower offers both pollen and honey for the pollinators.

The Neelakurinji blooming season believes as the blessing of lord Muruga by Toda tribe in Nilgiris. They believes that, Lord Muruga fall in love with Valli and welcomed her by wearing a kurinji garland at Palani hills. In the remembrance of this event, a temple called “Kurinji Andavar Kovil” build in Kodaikanal and Worshipping Lord Muruga especially during Kurinji season.

Neelakurinji and its habitat are under threat due to the Degradation of Southern Montana Hill Temperate Grasslands ecosystem in the Southern Western Ghats. However, Eravikulam National Park is highly protected and well managed its grassland and Shola forests.  Eravikulam National Park has experienced the never ending inflow of tourists including both foreigners and Indians in each year and will be expected more during kurinji season to witness the mesmerizing beauty of this massive blooming.