Unique flower that blooms every 12 years!

Mawsmai gets rare visitor
SHILLONG: A unique flower which blooms every 12 years is in full blossom again. ‘Jah Khei’ as the flower is locally known, has appeared at the scenic Mawsmai area under Mawpyrshong village.
While ‘Jah’ means to disappear, ‘Khei’ means to wake up and the flower does awaken the sleepy hamlet into wondering if the flower will bloom again 12 years hence.
The flower, which was last visible in 2003, will continue to bloom till mid October.
On Thursday, a group of research scholars from NEHU consisting of Dr. H.J. Syiemlieh, Prof. H. Kayang, Dr. P.B. Gurung and accompanied by John F Kharshiing, Chairman, Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, K. Warmalai, Myntri Khyrim Syiemship, Kynsai M Syiem, Sordar Smit, who is also the representative of the Syiem clan, walked downhill to the Wah Umngot, Mawsmai (under Raid Lawai, Hima Khyrim), to witness for themselves this wonder of nature.
The scholars from NEHU were excited to visit the location and collected samples of the plant and flower to conduct a thorough examination so as to produce a botanical report on the history of the unique ‘Jah Khei’ flower which will bloom next in 2027.
The NEHU scholars advised the village elders, the Myntri and the land owners about the tourism potential of the area due to its scenic landscape and urged them to ensure that the area is protected from fire so that exotic plants may survive and flourish.