​Neelakurinji Added to IUCN Red List as ‘Vulnerable’

In August 2024, the Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), a purplish flowering shrub that blooms once every 12 years, was officially classified as a threatened species on the IUCN Red List.

Key Points

• Global Red List Assessment: This is the first global assessment for Neelakurinji, confirming its status as Vulnerable (Criteria A2c) due to its limited and declining habitat. The latest blooming was reported at Peerumade in Idukki, though not extensively.
• Delay in Assessment: The species was known to be threatened but had not been evaluated under IUCN standards until now. Challenges included its limited distribution across the montane grasslands of the Western ....