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 (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.

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

• Dole, Claire H. (2000). "Phlox: A Butterfly and Moth Magnet". http://butterflywebsite.com/articles/bgq/Phlox.htm. Retrieved 2007-05-08.