While 70% of the Nilgiris were native grasslands, 30% of land were shola forests. The forests are also known as ‘cloud’ forests, holding the ability to draw moisture from the mist, and retain cloud cover. Over 98 shola tree species have been identified in the Nilgiris. At Jade Shola, we are trying to recreate these rare ‘cloud forests.’ with help from our friends at Upstream Ecology. Please visit their site to find out more about Shola regeneration. We are growing a mix of Grasses, Shrubs and Trees. Here is the list of flora successfully growing in our Shola - all sourced from Upstream Ecology’s nurseries.
Grasses
| Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Description |
| Chrysopogon nodulibarbis |
Native Large Clump Tussock grass |
Large, ornamental, flowers during monsoon -in pink, helps conserve water and recharge ground water, helps hold the soil and arrest erosion |
| Andropogon polyptichus |
Native Medium Clump Tussock grass |
Medium size, very ornamental, helps conserve water and recharge ground water, helps hold the soil and arrest erosion |
Shrubs
| Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Description |
| Rhodomyrtus tomentosa |
Hill Guava or Thavitu Pazham |
Flowers in the late part of the year to early part of the year. Also known as the rose myrtle tree. Very ornamental flowers, tasty fruits that are loved by shola birds |
| Viburnum erubescens |
|
Viburnum erubescens is a deciduous Shrub growing to 5 m. The fruit is edible |
| Crotilaria formosa |
|
Flowering native shrub. Attracts a lot of insects and bees. Very showy flowers and leaves |
| Kalanchoe grandiflora |
|
The native succulent. Flowers during the winter monthts |
| Strobilanthes cuspidata |
|
A Forest Kurinji. Showy leaves and flowers once in 5 years |
| Strobilanthes lanata |
Golden Kurinji |
Very ornamental large Kurinji shrub. Naturally bi-coloured leaves. Most beautiful of all the Kurinjis. |
| Osbeckia leschenaultii |
|
Native flowering shrub. Flowers during the winter and summer months. Flowers in pink |
Trees
| Scientific Name |
Common Name |
| Syzygium Grande |
|
| Turpinia Nepalense |
|
| Litsea Wightina |
|
| Neolitsea Wightiana |
|
| Actinodaphne Bourneae |
|
| Elaeocarpus Munronii |
Vikki Palam |
| Syzygium Calophyllifolium |
|
| Syzigium Densiflorum |
|
| Evodia_lunu Ankenda |
|
| Cinnamomum Wightii |
Biryani Leaf |
| Neolitsea Scrobiculata |
|
| Daphnyphyllum Neilgherense |
|
| Ilex Wightiana |
|
| Michelia Nilagirica |
|
| Celtis Tetrandra |
|
| Vernonia Arborea |
|
| Glochidion Neilgherense |
|
| Elaeocarpus Variabilis |
|
| Photinia Candoleanum |
|
| Ligustrum Perotettiana |
|
| Meliosma Simplicifolia |
|
| Syzygium Cumini |
|
| Prunus Eylanica |
|
