Family: Polemoniaceae
moss phlox, moss-pink
Janice Stiefel
Matthew L. Wagner
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Phlox: from the Greek phlox, "flame," ancient name of Lychnis of the Caryophyllaceae
Plants: erect, perennial, 2"-8" tall forb, with many branches
Leaves: many, crowded, mostly opposite, not divided; main leaves less than 1/2" long, sharp pointed
Flowers: rose-pink to white, 5-parted, 1/2"-3/4" wide, funnel-shaped, lobe tip notched up to 1/4 its length; inflorescence a few-flowered, branched cluster (cyme); blooms May
Habitat: ledges; in sandy, gravelly soil
Conservation Status: Introduced - escaped
Plants: erect, perennial, 2"-8" tall forb, with many branches
Leaves: many, crowded, mostly opposite, not divided; main leaves less than 1/2" long, sharp pointed
Flowers: rose-pink to white, 5-parted, 1/2"-3/4" wide, funnel-shaped, lobe tip notched up to 1/4 its length; inflorescence a few-flowered, branched cluster (cyme); blooms May
Habitat: ledges; in sandy, gravelly soil
Conservation Status: Introduced - escaped
Disturbed areas, especially near old cemeteries.
Scattered throughout the state. Native to eastern North America but widely cultivated and undoubtedly escaped in Wisconsin. Many of our records are from in and around cemeteries, so the extent to which our specimens are true escapes versus persisting from cultivation is not entirely clear, although there seem to be some specimens in the former category. Some specimens may also represent hybrid cultivars between P. subulata and other species, especially P. bifida and P. nivalis Lodd. ex Sweet., the former being the case with one collection from Ozaukee County (W. Sylvester, 1938, WIS). Wherry (1955) recognized three subspecies, but because of the horticultural origin of all of our plants, there is no point in recognizing infraspecific ranks for our specimens.
Scattered throughout the state. Native to eastern North America but widely cultivated and undoubtedly escaped in Wisconsin. Many of our records are from in and around cemeteries, so the extent to which our specimens are true escapes versus persisting from cultivation is not entirely clear, although there seem to be some specimens in the former category. Some specimens may also represent hybrid cultivars between P. subulata and other species, especially P. bifida and P. nivalis Lodd. ex Sweet., the former being the case with one collection from Ozaukee County (W. Sylvester, 1938, WIS). Wherry (1955) recognized three subspecies, but because of the horticultural origin of all of our plants, there is no point in recognizing infraspecific ranks for our specimens.
USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key.
Matthew L. Wagner
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Matthew L. Wagner
Janice Stiefel
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Robert Bierman
Botanical Illustration
Caroline A. Creevey
Botanical Illustration
