Phlox diffusa
Phlox diffusa | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Ericales |
Family: | Polemoniaceae |
Genus: | Phlox |
Species: | P. diffusa
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Binomial name | |
Phlox diffusa |
Phlox diffusa is a species of
Description
Phlox diffusa is a perennial herb subshrub. Its matted to the ground no more than 8 inches tall and its stem is usually prostrate or decumbent to erect. Phlox diffusa has opposite simple pinnate needle like leaves. Flowers are quite showy and range from Lavender to pink in color.[1] Flowers have five petals with a tubular corolla that is fused at the base.
Habitat
Phlox diffusa prefers dry hillsides such as areas like rocky slopes and terrains such as
Distribution
Phlox diffusa is widely distributed throughout the western United States going as far east as Nebraska. It spreads northerly to British Columbia in Canada with its Southern limits being Southern California.
Ecology
Based on a study at Chowder ridge fell-view community the flower morphology of Phlox diffusa such as flora color and insect visitors dominated the methods they are pollinated. The study showed that due to early blooming of Phlox diffusa, butterflies and bumblebees visited the flowers less frequently than expected but still are considered major pollinators. Two minor pollinators for Phlox diffusa are
References
- ^ "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org.
- ^ "PHLOX: AN EXPLORATION - PHLOX SPECIES AND CULTIVARS p. 3". www.theprimrosepath.com.
- ^ "Plants Profile for Phlox diffusa (spreading phlox)". plants.usda.gov.
- ^ a b Southwest, The American. "Spreading Phlox, Phlox Diffusa". www.americansouthwest.net.
- ^ Shaw, D., & Taylor, R. (1986) Pollination Ecology of an Alpine Fell-Field Community in the North Cascades. Northwest Science. 60, 21-31.
- ^ Arthur C. Gibson, Philip W. Rundel and M. Rasoul Sharifi. Madroño Vol. 55, No. 1 (JANUARY-MARCH 2008), pp. 41-51
External links
- Media related to Phlox diffusa at Wikimedia Commons
- Jepson Manual Treatment
- Washington Burke Museum
- Photo gallery