Want to see this flower, wait till 2030!

Strobilanthes Kunthiana, commonly known as Neelakurinji in Tamil and Malayam, is a flower species found in the deep Shola forest of western ghats in Kerala. The most interesting thing about this particular flower species is that it blossoms only once in 12 years.

The species was last seen blooming in 2018, so if you want to witness this special phenomenon, you will have to wait till 2030. The flower, when it blossoms, covers the Shola forest with its blue, purple and pink colours.

Earlier this flower was also present in different regions of western ghats like Cardamom Hills, Anamalai Hills, Kudremukh and Nilgiri Hills. Excessive plantation and commercial activities occupied the space meant for the Neelakurinji Flower, hence the flower was annihilated from these parts.