Rare variety of Neelakurinji blooms in Idukki hills

High in the hills of Idukki, a rare spectacle has unfolded: a breathtaking carpet of blue blankets the Kalyanathandu slopes as the elusive Neelakurinji, specifically the Strobilanthes sessilis variety, bursts into bloom. Known as Mettukurinji, this rare flowering event has captivated both the local people and tourists alike. Mettukurinji blooms are present in the Parunthumpara hills too.

Jomy Augustine, botany Professor at Mahatma Gandhi University and an expert on Neelakurinji, explained that the distinctive feature of Strobilanthes sessilis is the absence of petioles. “This feature separates Strobilanthes sessilis from Strobilanthus kunthiana or Neelakkurinji, which has petioles on the stems, ” said Dr. Augustine.

Strobilanthes sessilis species has three varieties, found in the Western Ghats. They are Strobilanthes sessilis var. sessilis, Strobilanthes sessilis var.

sessiloides, and Strobilanthes sessilis var. ritchiei. “ Strobilanthes sessilis var.

sessilis is also found northward up to Nilgiri hills. The second variety of this, Strobilanthes sessilis var. sessiloides , usually blooms in the Coorg Hills of Karnataka.

In the northern Western Ghats, the third variety can be found in the table-top mountains called Kas plateau (Kas Pathar) of Maharashtra. This variety of Mettukurinji is an even rarer species,” said Dr. Augustine.

All three varieties of Strobilanthes sessilis bloom every seven years at an elevation of 600 to 1000 metres above sea level. “Neelakkurinji.