Neelakurinji Added to IUCN Red List as Vulnerable Species

The Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), a flowering shrub endemic to the Western Ghats in India, has been classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, reflecting a 30% population decline over the last three generations. Known for its unique 12-year blooming cycle, where it transforms the landscape into a stunning purplish-blue expanse, the plant faces threats from habitat degradation and environmental changes. This classification marks the first global assessment of the species, underscoring its ecological significance and the urgent need for conservation measures to protect both the Neelakurinji and its high-altitude grassland habitat.