Question

Which of the monocarpic plant flowers once in every twelve years due to which Nilgiris are called the Blue Mountains?
A. Butea
B. Rhododendron
C. Primula
D. None of the above

Answer 1

The perennial flower can set seed only once in their lifetime and then die. The next generation of this plant is accepted from these seeds and the cycle repeats. Such plants are called monocarpic plants. The monocarpic plants flower only after achieving maturity.

Complete answer: The Nilgiri Hills are in Ooty, situated in the Western Ghats and known as the 'Blue Mountains' for the bluish colour in their fine natural setting. Various varieties of the Rhododendrons present in the Nilgiris give the mountains a blue colour and hence, are also known as the blue mountain. There are many species with small flowers and small leaves and the tropical species grow as the epiphytes. The Rhododendron is characterized by having inflorescences. The Rhododendron is a genus characterized by the shrubs and small to large trees. Leaves are spirally arranged. They may be evergreen or deciduous.
i. Butea : It is a genus of the flowering plants which belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. Sometimes it is considered to have only two species.
ii. Rhododendron: It is a genus of many species of the woody plants in the heath family (Ericaceae). It may be evergreen or deciduous in colour and may also be found mainly in Asia. Although, it is widespread throughout the lowland and the montane forests.
iii. Primula : It is a genus of mainly the herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the familiar wildflower of the banks and the verges.
Therefore, the correct answer is option B.

Note: The bamboos are monocarpic plants which take approximately more than forty years to mature and flower. Another special characteristic shown by these plants is that they flower in a single season. The term planetesimals are used to refer to such plants. The Neelakurinji plants mature in twelve years time period and flower every twelve years.