Phlox

For other uses, see Phlox (disambiguation).

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 (/ˈflɒks/; Greek φλόξ "flame"; plural "phlox" or "phloxes", Greek φλόγες phlóges) is a genus of 67 species of perennial and annual plants in the family Polemoniaceae. They are 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 fall. 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 or more valves that sometimes separate explosively.

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

The foliage of Phlox is a food for 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.

Species

File:Phlox paniculata fruit and seeds.jpg

Fruit and seeds of P. paniculata

File:Phlox divaricata 1.jpg

Clump of woodland phlox (P. divaricata)

File:Phlox in New Jersey April.jpg

Growing at a nursery in Cranford, New Jersey.

There are 68 species, including:

Phlox adsurgens Northern phlox, Periwinkle phlox, Woodland phlox Phlox alyssifolia Alyssumleaf phlox Phlox amabilis Arizona phlox Phlox amoena Hairy 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

File:Variegated Phlox.jpg

Variegated form of P. paniculata

Several species and cultivars of phlox are commonly grown in gardens. Most cultivated phlox, with the notable exception of Phlox drummondii, are perennial. Species from Alpine habitats (and cultivars derived from them) require full sun and good drainage. Those from woodland habitats (such as P. divaricata) require partial shade and soil rich in humus. Those from waterside habitats (such as P. paniculata) require full sun and moisture at the roots. Phlox are valued in the garden for their ability to attract butterflies. Phlox can be propagated from stem cuttings.