Phlox

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Phlox

Phlox douglasii

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Polemoniaceae
Genus:	Phlox L.

Species

About 65 species; see text

For other uses, see Phlox (disambiguation).

Phlox (pronounced /flɒks/ or "flocks"; from the Greek φλόξ, meaning 'flame') is a genus of 67 species of annual or perennial flowering plants. Some species flower in early spring while others flower in summer into fall. Most species are native to temperate North America but a few species are also from northeastern Asia. They are found growing in diverse habitats from alpine locations to open woodlands and prairies.

Phlox range in color from pale blue to bright red to white. Some species such as Phlox glaberrima (Smooth Phlox) grow to 1.5 m tall, while others, such as Phlox stolonifera (Creeping Phlox), form low mats only a few centimetres in height.

Phlox is best grown in well-drained soil, exposed to partial shade to partial sun. The foliage of Phlox is sometimes eaten by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Dot Moth, Gazoryctra wielgusi, Hummingbird Hawk-moth and Schinia indiana which feeds exclusively on P. pilosa. Phlox species are also a popular food source for groundhogs, rabbits and deer. The flowers, when fertilized, typically produce one relatively large seed.

Selected species

Phlox adsurgens - Northern Phlox, Periwinkle phlox, Woodland phlox
Phlox alyssifolia - Alyssumleaf phlox
Phlox amplifolia - Largeleaf phlox
Phlox andicola - Moss phlox, Plains phlox, Prairie phlox

Moss phlox

P. divaricata in habitat, N. Florida

Phlox flowers

Phlox austromontana - Mountain phlox
Phlox bifida - Cleft phlox
Phlox borealis
Phlox bryoides
Phlox buckleyi - Swordleaf Phlox
Phlox caespitosa - Cushion Phlox
Phlox carolina - Carolina phlox, Thickleaf Phlox
Phlox cuspidata - Pointed Phlox
Phlox diffusa - Mat phlox, Spreading phlox
Phlox divaricata -Blue woodland phlox, Louisiana phlox, Sweet william, Wild blue phlox
Phlox douglasii
Phlox drummondii - Drummond Phlox, Annual phlox, Phlox
Phlox floridana - Florida Phlox
Phlox glaberrima - Marsh phlox, Smooth Phlox
Phlox glabriflora - Rio Grande phlox
Phlox hoodii ssp. canescens - Carpet Phlox
Phlox idahonis - Idaho Phlox
Phlox kelseyi - Kelsey's Phlox
Phlox latifolia - Mountain phlox, Wideflower phlox
Phlox longifolia - Long-leaf phlox, Longleaf phlox
Phlox maculata - Meadow Phlox, Phlox, Wild sweet William, Wild sweetwilliam
Phlox mesoleuca - Threadleaf phlox
Phlox missoulensis - Missoula Phlox
Phlox mollis - Soft Phlox
Phlox multiflora - Flowery Phlox, Rocky Mountain Phlox
Phlox nana - Canyon phlox, Santa Fe Phlox, White-eyed phlox
Phlox nivalis - Trailing Phlox
Phlox ovata - Mountain Phlox
Phlox paniculata - Fall phlox, Perennial phlox
Phlox pilosa - Downy phlox, Fragrant phlox, Prairie Phlox
Phlox pulchra - Alabama Phlox
Phlox pulvinata - Cushion phlox
Phlox roemeriana - Golden-eye Phlox, Goldeneye phlox
Phlox sibirica - Siberian Phlox
Phlox speciosa - Showy phlox, Woodhouse's phlox
Phlox stansburyi - Cold-desert phlox
Phlox stolonifera - Creeping Phlox
Phlox subulata - Moss Phlox, Moss pink, Rock pink
Phlox tenuifolia - Santa Catalina Mountain phlox

[edit] Cultivation

Several species of phlox are commonly cultivated in gardens. Most cultivated phlox, with the notable exception of Drummond phlox, are perennial. Phlox cultivars are available in shades of white, purple, blue, pink, and yellow. Phlox are valued in the garden for their ability to attract butterflies.