From Buransh to Brahma Kamal: Unique flowers from the hills and where they are found

India's diverse geography gives the country a vast abundance of flora, and nowhere is this more visible than in the country's hilly regions. From the Western Ghats to the Himalayas, the latter possesses some of the world's rarest and most enchanting flowers that can be found nowhere else on the earth. Below are 8 unusual flowers of the hills and where they are found.

One of the world's most stunning flower displays, Neelakurinji blooms once every 12 years. Found in the grasslands of the Western Ghats' hills, prominently Kerala's Munnar and some sections of Tamil Nadu, this bloom forms a blue-purple sea across the hills. The previous big bloom was in 2018, and the next one will appear in 2030. These blue moon flowers attract nature lovers and photographers from across the world.

The rhododendron, also known locally as buransh in most Himalayan states, is a gem of the hills. The flowers come out in shades of red, pink, purple, and white based on the variety and altitude. Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh are renowned for forests of rhododendron. Red Buransh flowers in Uttarakhand are utilized to prepare a popular local juice with medicinal properties.

The "King of Himalayan Flowers," Brahma Kamal, is an alpine flower that is found in Uttarakhand, particularly in the Valley of Flowers National Park and Hemkund Sahib. Brahma, one of the Hindu deities, named this rare flower, which blooms only at night and is greatly used in religious rituals. It is found at altitudes of more than 3,000 meters and has a large size, white color, and lotus shape.

The Himalayan Blue Poppy, or "Queen of Himalayan Flowers," is known for its delicate, blue-hued petals. It thrives in the cold, moist climates of high-altitude regions such as the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand and the Phobjikha Valley in Bhutan. The flower is very hard to cultivate, further adding to its charm. Individuals travel from far just to see a sight of this delicate beauty.

Cobra Lily is native to the Nilgiri forests of Tamil Nadu and is extremely intriguing. The plant owes its name to an uncanny resemblance to a raised-hood cobra. The Cobra Lily flower blooms in monsoons and provides support to pollinators. Its weird shape and vibrant green and red hues make it wildlife photographers' favorite.

Often flowering in groups of yellow, pink, and purple, primulas are common to the alpine meadows of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Over 300 species of primula exist, most of which bloom at the beginning of spring and some of which thrive in cold climates. They are a colorful treat for Himalayan trekkers.

Magnolia trees occur in the hill tracts of Manipur, Sikkim, and Meghalaya. The big, scented flower, usually white or pink, is highly valued culturally. It's often used in religious rituals and traditional medicines. Magnolia flowers usually come in late spring and are in demand for their traditional beauty and soothing scent.

Edelweiss also blooms on some of the Indian Himalayas' higher reaches. The five-pointed, white bloom signifies purity and is found in the most extreme mountainous conditions. It is rare in India, so it is a special treat for seasoned trekkers and mountain botanists.