The 2018 bloom became a massive eco-tourism event. The Kerala Forest Department opened special viewing zones at Eravikulam National Park, operated shuttle buses, and limited daily visitors to 3,000–4,000 to protect the fragile ecosystem.
🌺 📅 Bloom year: 2018 🟣 Color: Violet-blue ⏳ Cycle: Every 12 years 📍 Best place: Munnar, India 📸 Peak viewing: Aug–Sept 2018 👥 Visitors: ~300,000 🌱 Next bloom: ~2030 🏷️ #Kurinji2018 #PurpleHills #WesternGhats kurinji flower 2018
The Strobilanthes kunthiana , popularly known as , is a "plietesial" plant, meaning it has a synchronized, multi-year flowering cycle. In Munnar, this cycle lasts exactly 12 years . Following the 2006 bloom, 2018 was the designated year for the hills to be carpeted in purple-blue hues. The 2018 bloom became a massive eco-tourism event
Of the 250 species in the Strobilanthes genus, Munnar alone hosts around 45 varieties. In Munnar, this cycle lasts exactly 12 years