Phlox amoena Plant Identification (Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses)

Family – Polemoniaceae

Stems:

Leaves:

Inflorescence:

Flowers:

Flowering – March – June.

Habitat – Sandhills, dry woods, hammocks, open banks, roadsides.

Origin – Native to North America.

Other information – This species can be found mainly in the northern 2/3 of Alabama. The plant can be identified by its opposite leaves, hairy stems, hairy calices, and pink flowers. The plant has few to no glandular pubescence, which helps distinguish it from P. pilosa L.
Phlox divaricata L. is a similar species also but it has more blue flowers and the pubescence of its stems is much shorter. This plant also grows in more shaded areas with rich soils.
The genus name Phlox is the Greek word for “flame” and was the ancient name of another genus, Lychnis.
The species epithet amoena derives from the Latin “amoen” meaning “pleasant or charming.”

Alabama Distribution:

Photographs taken off Hwy 80, Macon County, AL., 4-9-05.