[Phlox: The Genus Phlox East of the Cascade
Mts. of Oregon and Washington]
Carpet Phlox, Hood's Phlox, Spiny Phlox
Phlox hoodii var. canescens
Synonyms: Phlox canescens, Phlox hoodii ssp. canescens, Phlox lanata
The photo above shows several flowers of Hood's phlox as seen from hillsides west of Vantage, WA.........March 29, 2007.
The photo above shows a close-up view of the calyx and corolla of Hood's phlox as seen from hillsides west of Vantage, WA.........March 29, 2007. The sharp point at the tip of each leaf is readily apparent in the photo.
Characteristics:
Hood's phlox is a pretty, compact, mat or low cushion forming
wildflower. The leaves are firm and pungent, and are narrowly linear. Most leaves
range from 4 to 10 mm long and about 0.5 to 1 mm wide. The leaves of Hood's
phlox tend to be stiffer and generally shorter than those of spreading
phlox (Phlox diffusa).
The beautiful flowers are solitary, sessile, and at the tips
of the stems. The corolla is white, pink, or a light blue. The tube ranges in
length from 4 to 10 mm long, with the lobes being 4 to 7 mm long. The membranes
between the ribs of the calyx tube are flat and often obscured by the hairs
there. The style is 2-5 mm long. Four of the anthers are near the mouth of the
tube, while the fifth is below the others. It is positioned above the tip of
the style.
Habitat:
Hood's phlox is a wildflower of dry open places. It is commonly
found with sagebrush. It is found from the hills of the lowlands to moderate
elevations in the mountains.
Range:
Hood's phlox is a widespread phlox. It is found from Alaska
south through the Yukon, and along the east side of the Rockies into Alberta
and Saskatchewan to northern Colorado and western Nebraska. It passes wetward
of the Rockies through Wyoming to southern Idaho, norhtern Utah, and as far
west as the eastern base of the Cascade Range, into central Washington and south
through central Oregon to northeastern California.
The photo above show a look inside the tubular corolla of Hood's phlox as seen from hillsides west of Vantage, WA.........March 29, 2007. Note the stamens attached at varying levels of
the tube.
The photo above shows a cushion of Hood's phlox as seen from hillsides west of Vantage, WA.........March 29, 2007.
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Additional close-up photos of Hood's phlox as seen along Forest Service Road #1450, Malheur National Forest.......July 3, 2010.
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Close-ups of what appears to be Hood's phlox as seen on rock outcrops around Jackman Park, Steens Mountain of Harney County, Oregon.........June 2, 2012.
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Hood's phlox as seen on a gravelly bald atop the steep slope to the north of the Cottonwood Canyon State Park administration buildings..........February 22, 2015.
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Hood's phlox observed on a rocky bald at about 7400' along the Fremont National Recreation Trail on the southeastern shoulder of Crook Peak, Fremont-Winema National Forest........June 28, 2019.
The photo above show a look inside the tubular corolla of Hood's phlox from the Dalles Mt, Columbia River Gorge.........April 22, 2001. Note the stamens attached at varying levels of the tube.
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Hood's phlox as seen on a gravelly bald atop the steep slope to the north of the Cottonwood Canyon State Park administration buildings..........March 18, 2016.
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Hood's phlox as observed on scablands along Forest Road 4240 about a mile south of Lame Dog Creek, Ochoco National Forest.......April 26, 2018.
Hood's phlox blooming on the western face of Light Peak, Fremont-Winema National Forest......June 29, 2019.
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Late-blooming Hood's phlox spotted in bloom along Forest Road 38-200 to Spanish Peak, Ochoco National Forest......September 23, 2023.
Paul Slichter