Phlox pilosa L. ssp. pilosa

Downy Phlox

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Downy Phlox is a native herbaceous perennial in the Phlox family (Polemoniaceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Downy Phlox occurs in dry to mesic woods, in prairies, on rock outcrops and slopes, and on roadsides. It is a perennial with short rhizomes. Sterile shoots are usually lacking. Flowering shoots are erect and 6-18 inches in height. Stems are green or purplish-red in color and pubescent. The lower portion of the stem is pubescent with non-glandular hairs and towards the apex of the stem there is a mixture of glandular and non-glandular hairs. Leaves are opposite, sessile, linear to lanceolate in outline, with ciliate margins. The leaves are sparsely to moderately pubescent. Flowers are produced in open terminal cymes. The calyx has five lobes that are sharply pointed and pubescent with at least some glandular hairs. The corolla is salverform with a long pubescent tube and 5 spreading lobes. The stamens are shorter than the corolla tube. The corolla is light to dark purple, pinkish, blueish, or rarely white in color. Soil pH and possible hybridization with other species influences flower color. The fruit is a capsule. Downy Phlox is available from many nurseries that sell wildflowers. It tolerates drier conditions and more sun than many of our other phlox species. It is easily grown from seed and large clones can be divided in the autumn.—A. Diamond.

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Native

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