Phlox pilosa Linnaeus ssp. pilosa. Common name: Downy Phlox. Phenology: Apr-May; May-Jun. Habitat: Dry to mesic woodlands and forests, roadbanks. Distribution: PA west to se. ND, south to GA and c. TX.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, GrPl, Il, Mi, Mo3, NcTx, NE, NY, Tn, Tx, Levin (1966), Wherry (1955); < Phlox pilosa L. — Pa, RAB, S, Tat, Va, W, WH3; < Phlox pilosa L. ssp. pilosa — K4; < Phlox pilosa L. var. pilosa — C, F, G. Basionym: Phlox pilosa L. 1753
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU (name change)
- Great Plains: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Midwest: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
Heliophily ⓘ: 7
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect perennial of dry to mesic woodlands and forests, and road banks.
Stems: Stems unbranched and densely covered in soft, white hairs.
Leaves: Leaves opposite, sessile, narrowly lance-shaped to linear, to 3 1/2 in. long; surfaces may be smooth or finely hairy and margins have small stiff hairs.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers in a more or less loosely branched, terminal cluster; reddish-pink to pale purple, 1/2-3/4 in. wide, with 5 corolla lobes that flare abruptly outward from a hairy or smooth, narrow tube; the calyx consists of 5 hairy, narrow sepals with needle-like tips; 5 stamens are hidden in the corolla tube.
Fruits: Fruit an oval capsule up to 1/4 in. long.
Comments:
Height: 8-24 in.
plant sale text: Downy phlox has panicles of soft pink flowers that bloom in late spring. This is a low-growing clump-forming phlox. The evergreen foliage of this southeastern native perennial is attractive year-round. In the wild, downy phlox grows in deciduous or pine forests, meadows and along dry open roadsides. Try it in your perennial border or meadow. Downy phlox is a fine plant for attracting butterflies.
bloom table text: Downy phlox has panicles of soft pink flowers that bloom in late spring. This is a low-growing clump-forming phlox. The evergreen foliage of this southeastern native perennial is attractive year-round. In the wild, downy phlox grows in deciduous or pine forests, meadows and along dry open roadsides. Downy phlox is a fine plant for attracting butterflies
description: Erect perennial of dry to mesic woodlands and forests, and road banks.
stems: Stems unbranched and densely covered in soft, white hairs.
leaves: Leaves opposite, sessile, narrowly lance-shaped to linear, to 3 1/2 in. long; surfaces may be smooth or finely hairy and margins have small stiff hairs.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers in a more or less loosely branched, terminal cluster; reddish-pink to pale purple, 1/2-3/4 in. wide, with 5 corolla lobes that flare abruptly outward from a hairy or smooth, narrow tube; the calyx consists of 5 hairy, narrow sepals with needle-like tips; 5 stamens are hidden in the corolla tube.
fruits: Fruit an oval capsule up to 1/4 in. long.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: eastern & central N. America
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