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 Phlox douglasii
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About 65 species; see text |
Phlox (pronounced /flɒks/ or "flocks"; from the Latin for a flame-colored flower, which is from the Greek φλόξ, meaning 'flame'; plural "phlox" or "phloxes") 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 flowers 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.
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
- 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
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
- Dole, Claire H. (2000). "Phlox: A Butterfly and Moth Magnet". Retrieved on 2007-05-08.
- (2000) American Heritage Dictionary. Retrieved on 2008-07-24.
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