Udhagamandalam: It is a matter of great pleasure tourists and the local people, on the west side of Doddabetta slopes in Ooty now carpeted with beautiful Neelakurinji flowerOffers an enchanting view.
Now a large number of tourists are expected to visit the Nilgiris to enjoy the view of the hills covered with purple flowers.
Neelakurinji flowers appeared four years ago in September 2018 in Doddabetta, Kalahatti and Kilkotagiri areas of the district. Usually these purple flowers bloom once in 12 years. The change in bloom cycle has baffled botanists, who have attributed it to climate change.
There are different varieties of Neelakurinji, a shrub that belongs to the genus of Strobilanthes.
Strobilanthes kunthianus is the one found on the west side of Doddabetta slopes, according to S Rajan, a field botanist east of the survey of the Medical Plants and Collection Unit of the Department of AYUSH in Ooty. “that’s unusual Neelakurinji The flowers reappear every four years. The observations suggest that changes in the bloom cycle are primarily due to climate change.”
Pointing out that the Neelakurinji bloom was recorded only once in 12 years on the Kalahatti slope, Rajan said it happens once in three to four years on the Doddabetta slope. “Sometimes, habitat matters for the blooms as well. However, not much study has been done about its bloom. The characteristic of the shrub is that it will be in a dormant state after blooming. It blooms only under suitable climatic conditions. For Strobilanthes kunthianus, this seems to be the appropriate climate.”
He said that 36 varieties of Strobilanthes genus are found in Eucalyptus, which bloom in different colors at different intervals. “Each group has a specific physiology and cycle and they bloom accordingly once in three, five, seven and nine years.”
Horticulture officials said that Neelakurinji blossom was not recorded in other areas of the district.
A source said, “Neelakurinji flowers have a very short lifespan. Its honey is known to have medicinal properties. It is the source of nectar for rock bees.”
Now a large number of tourists are expected to visit the Nilgiris to enjoy the view of the hills covered with purple flowers.
Neelakurinji flowers appeared four years ago in September 2018 in Doddabetta, Kalahatti and Kilkotagiri areas of the district. Usually these purple flowers bloom once in 12 years. The change in bloom cycle has baffled botanists, who have attributed it to climate change.
There are different varieties of Neelakurinji, a shrub that belongs to the genus of Strobilanthes.
Strobilanthes kunthianus is the one found on the west side of Doddabetta slopes, according to S Rajan, a field botanist east of the survey of the Medical Plants and Collection Unit of the Department of AYUSH in Ooty. “that’s unusual Neelakurinji The flowers reappear every four years. The observations suggest that changes in the bloom cycle are primarily due to climate change.”
Pointing out that the Neelakurinji bloom was recorded only once in 12 years on the Kalahatti slope, Rajan said it happens once in three to four years on the Doddabetta slope. “Sometimes, habitat matters for the blooms as well. However, not much study has been done about its bloom. The characteristic of the shrub is that it will be in a dormant state after blooming. It blooms only under suitable climatic conditions. For Strobilanthes kunthianus, this seems to be the appropriate climate.”
He said that 36 varieties of Strobilanthes genus are found in Eucalyptus, which bloom in different colors at different intervals. “Each group has a specific physiology and cycle and they bloom accordingly once in three, five, seven and nine years.”
Horticulture officials said that Neelakurinji blossom was not recorded in other areas of the district.
A source said, “Neelakurinji flowers have a very short lifespan. Its honey is known to have medicinal properties. It is the source of nectar for rock bees.”