Strobilanthes kunthiana

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iStrobilanthes kunthiana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Lamiales Family: Acanthaceae Genus: Strobilanthes Species: S. kunthiana
Binomial name
Strobilanthes kunthiana (Nees) T. Anderson

Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) is a shrub that used to grow abundantly in the shola grasslands (the orgin of Water) of Western Ghats in India above 1800 metres. The Nilgiris, which literally means the blue mountains, got its name from the purplish blue flowers of Neelakurinji that blossoms gregariously once in 12 years.

Neelakurinji is the best known of a genus that has flowering cycles ranging from one to 16 years. It belongs to the family of Acanthaceae. The genus has around 300 species, of which at least 46 occur in India. Besides the Western Ghats, Neelakurinji is seen in the Shevroys in the Eastern Ghats. It occurs at an altitude of 1800 to 2400 metres.

Once they used to cover the entire Nilgiris like a carpet during its flowering season. However, now plantations and dwellings occupy much of their habitat.

The plant is usually 30 to 60 cm high on the hills. They can, however, grow well beyond 180 cm under congenial conditions. Plants that bloom at long intervals like kurinji are called plietesials.

In 2006, Neelakurunji have flowered again in Tamil Nadu after a gap of 12 years. Apart from Nilgris, Neelakurinji should be visible in grass lands of Eravikulam, hills between Klavarai in Tamil Nadu and Vattavada, near Munnar in Kerala during the season from August to December.