Strobilanthes [Karvy] mass blooming 2008

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-n...-bloom/347666/

According to this news report, a mass blooming of the beautiful Karvy flower [Strobilanthes callosus] is expected from mid August this year 2008, in and around the Mumbai region. These shrubs bloom once in 4-7 years in the Mumbai region and once in 10-12 years in the Nilgiris.

I did see a whole clump of these shrubs with buds formed about 2 weeks ago in the forests near the Tansa sanctuary, just off the Mumbai Nashik road.

The Sanjay Gandhi NP in Mumbai, the Tungareshwar region, Karnala Sanctuary, Tansa etc are all close to Mumbai and well worth a visit to enjoy the mass flowering of this species.

For those who have never seen these beautiful flowers, here are a couple of photos from last years mass blooming of the shrubs at Panorama Point at Matheran.

Wow! Those are really gorgeous! Thanks!

We decided to look for the karvy flowers at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivili, Mumbai, on Independence Day, as there would be no traffic on the horrendous WE Highway. This is what we found:

Beauatiful flowers.

Despite living very close to SGNP, I have not been to the park this monsoon . I must make a visit next Saturday.

Sadanand

Those photos are just lovely, synonymous - thanks for posting this news.

Thanks Aishah. It is quite a thrill to see these pretty blooms. Last year we saw the best of them covering the entire hillside at Matheran. All the more delightful as it was unanticipated.

Sadanand you are lucky, if I were living close to SGNP, I would be there early every morning. It is just the horrendous Mumbai traffic that keeps me away.

Is this the same as "Kurinji" flowers of Kodaikanal/Ooty?

And if so ;the bloom is happening in Nilgiris too?

Please reply if in the know,thanks!

These - Strobilanthes callosus - are the same family Acanthacea, as the Neela Kurinji Pooh Strobilanthes kunthiana of the high altitude Western ghats of South India, but much larger in size of flower as well as leaf. I dont think there is a mass blooming in the Nilgiris at the moment, although you will certainly see a few individual plants in bloom in the blooming season. When I was in the Nilgiris in Jan 2007 I saw the mass blooming on the Thalaikundah Mudumalai ghat hillside and along the Ooty Dodabetta road hillside, also a few at Avalanche. In Feb 2007, I saw a few individual blooms at Kodaikanal. In Jan 2008, I saw a few individual blooms at Avalanche. I understand that the Nilgiri - Kodai mass blooming takes place once in 10-12 years!

That's right; and the blooming supposed to have taken place last year.

But since you mentioned about Karvy blooming I thought the two are connected and that I can catch the sight at least this year!

Wow, amazing

I live close to the SGNP but havnt been inside during this rains,though i am regular there
where exactly inside the NP is this area located?
i will surely see asap
thanks for sharing the beautiful pix

Jade Garden
We saw these along the Silondha trail. I believe there are plenty along the Yeoor trail as well.

Just beautiful!

For those who are interested in this, BNHS is conducting a educational walk on the Karvi on 7th September. The walk will be at their conservation centre in Goregoan near the Filim City.

Thank you for posting the information Piran.

7th September would be about the right time when all the flower buds will burst into bloom.