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Kurinji Flowers blossom at Mulligoor

Kurinji flower is a hallmark of the Western Ghats,which is said to have given The Nilgiris its iconic name.

This plant blooms in  synchronicity with other members of its species such as masting or mass seeding are used to carpet the upper slopes of The Nilgiris and other parts of the Western Ghats.But around 45 species of Strobilanthes found in India are threatened  with extinction due to habitat loss. 

The Kurinji plants are commonly found in the places such as The Nilgiris, Palani Hills, Shevaroy Hills in Tamil Nadu and at Idukki in Kerala.

“Few of the related species including Strobilanthes ciliates are in the highly endangered stage.Due to human interference such as tea plantations, construction of houses and clearing of forest for agriculture their numbers have drastically decreased.Action should be taken to preserve these endangered species from extinction,” Mr. Ramsundar said. 

"The correct blooming cycle of Kurinji Flower is 12 years.But now in recent years the blooming cycle has been reduced  due to climate change.Recent days the blooming cycle occurring every three to four years", the horticulturist said.

“Since 2004, The Kurinji Flower bloom three of four times within the time it takes to complete one cycle. Climate change could be a primary cause for its sporadic flowering, while the decrease in the number of its predators, such as jungle fowl could also be another factor,” he added.