Phlox maculata

Classification Hierarchy
Kingdom	Plantae
Subkingdom	Tracheophyta
Superdivision	Spermatophyta
Division	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Subclass	Asteridae
Order	Solanales
Family	Polemoniaceae
Genus	Phlox
Species	Phlox maculata

USDA Plant Profile Flora of N. America

Scientific Name: Phlox maculata (phlox [G] = flame; maculata = spotted)

Common Name: Wild sweetwilliam

Origin: Native

Notes: P. maculata is often found near water. Its most distinguishing characteristics are the spotted stem (hence the epithet maculata), and the cylindrical inflorescence. Also, when expanded, the overlapping petals eliminate the space between adjacent petals. P. maculata is probably less frequently encountered in the wild than any of the other three Phloxes native to our area (P. divaricata, P. pilosa, and P. bifida)

Additional references: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.

Field Marks for Identification:

Flowers: May; corolla purple or red-violet to white, corolla tubes longer than petal lobe;

Stem: purple spotted or streaked, glabrous or slightly villous;

Leaves: Opposite, lanceolate,sessile.

Glossaries of botanical terms: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.