Phlox

Phlox
Phlox
Phlox paniculata (garden phlox)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Polemoniaceae
Genus: Phlox
L.
Species

See text

Phlox (pronounced /ˈflɒks/ "flocks": Greek φλόξ "flame"; plural "phlox" or "phloxes", Greek φλόγες phlóges) is a genus of 67 species of perennial and annual plants found mostly in North America (one in Siberia) in diverse habitats from alpine tundra to open woodland and prairie. Some flower in spring, others in summer and autumn.

Flowers may be pale blue, violet, pink, bright red, or white. Many are fragrant.

Fertilized flowers typically produce one relatively large seed. The fruit is a longitudinally dehiscent capsule with three valves that sometimes separate explosively.[1]

Some species such as P. paniculata (Garden Phlox) grow upright, while others such as P. subulata (Steak Phlox) grow short and matlike.

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.

Phlox can be propagated from stem cuttings.

Species

Fruit and seeds of P. paniculata
Clump of woodland phlox (P. divaricata)

There are 67 species, including:

  • Phlox adsurgens
    Northern phlox, Periwinkle phlox, Woodland phlox
  • Phlox alyssifolia
    Alyssumleaf phlox
  • Phlox amplifolia
    Largeleaf phlox
  • Phlox andicola
    Moss phlox, Plains phlox, Prairie phlox
  • 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 condensata
    Dwarf phlox
  • Phlox cuspidata
    Pointed phlox
  • Phlox diffusa
    Mat phlox, Spreading phlox
  • Phlox divaricata
    Blue phlox, Woodland Phlox, Louisiana phlox, Sweet william
  • Phlox dolichantha
    Big Bear Valley phlox
  • Phlox douglasii
  • Phlox drummondii
    Drummond phlox, Annual phlox
  • Phlox floridana
    Florida phlox
  • Phlox glaberrima
    Marsh phlox, Smooth phlox
  • Phlox glabriflora
    Rio Grande phlox
  • Phlox hirsuta
    Yreka phlox
  • Phlox hoodii
    Carpet phlox, Spiny phlox
  • Phlox idahonis
    Idaho phlox
  • Phlox kelseyi
    Kelsey's phlox
  • Phlox latifolia
    Mountain phlox, Wideflower phlox
  • Phlox longifolia
    Longleaf phlox
  • Phlox maculata
    Meadow phlox, Phlox, Wild sweet William
  • 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
    Garden Phlox, Fall phlox, Perennial phlox
  • Phlox pilosa
    Downy phlox, Fragrant phlox, Prairie phlox
  • Phlox pulchra
    Alabama phlox
  • Phlox pulvinata
    Cushion phlox
  • Phlox roemeriana
    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, Rock pink
  • Phlox tenuifolia
    Santa Catalina Mountain phlox

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. Most are best grown in well-drained soil, exposed to partial shade to partial sun. Phlox are valued in the garden for their ability to attract butterflies.

References