Phlox subulata Linnaeus. Moss Phlox, Mountain-pink. Phen: Mar-May. Hab: Dry and exposed rock outcrops, rocky flood-scoured riversides, dry woodlands over a wide variety of rocks, shale barrens. Dist: NY and OH south to w. NC and TN; escaped or naturalized more widely from horticultural use.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: The infraspecific taxa that are sometimes recognized (see synonymy) seem poorly correlated with morphology and geography and are here synonymized pending further study.
Synonymy: = Ar, Il, K4, Mi, Pa, RAB, S, Tn, Va, W; > Phlox brittonii Small – S; > Phlox subulata L. ssp. australis (Wherry) Wherry – K1, Wherry (1955); > Phlox subulata L. ssp. brittonii (Small) Wherry – K1, K3, Pa, Wherry (1955); > Phlox subulata L. ssp. setacea (L.) Locklear – K3; > Phlox subulata L. ssp. subulata – K1, K3, NE, NY, Pa, Wherry (1955); > Phlox subulata L. var. australis – G; > Phlox subulata L. var. brittonii – F, WV; > Phlox subulata L. var. ciliata Wherry – G; > Phlox subulata L. var. setacea (L.) Brand – C; > Phlox subulata L. var. subulata – C, F, WV
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