Neelakurinji-generation next

The next generation of neelakurinji plants (Strobilanthes kunthiana) is ready to sprout in a few months time. The seeds have matured in thousands of kurinji plants on the grasslands of Eravikulam National Park, Kurinjimala Sanctuary and neighbouring regions and are getting dispersed across the hills. The purplish blue flowers of neelakurinji bloomed gregariously from April to October last year.From the budding stage, it takes about ten months for the seeds to mature. They start drying up within weeks of the flowering, but will not wither until the seeds are dispersed. The drying plants virtually toss their seeds in summer months as the pods dry up and explode mildly. The plants are now in the last stage of seed dispersal.

 

 (The Hindu, 7^th May 2007)