Peerumedu : Neelakurinji has bloomed on the vast stretches of Idukki in Kerala,pulling a purple-blue blanket of flowers over the hillocks. People are thronging the tourist spot located in Idukki district to witness the rare event. The Neelakurinji flowers, known as Strobilanthes Kunthiana, blooms only once in 12 years.
Neelakurinji is a shrub found in the shola forests of the Western Ghats. Nilgiri Hills, which means the blue mountains, got their name from the flowers.
Around 40 species of Neelakurinjis, which blooms in specific intervals, are found in the shola forests of South India. It grows on highlands which are 1,800 metres above the sea level.
Neelakurinji blooms in Idukki
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