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downy phlox
downy phlox (Phlox pilosa)
Photo © John Hilty
Features and Behaviors
FEATURES
Downy phlox is also known as prairie phlox. This perennial herb grows from slender roots. Its stems are upright and may grow to two feet tall. The hairy stems are sometimes branched. Leaves are arranged opposite each other on the stem. Each leaf is sessile and simple. These hairy leaves are narrow to lance-shaped and may be four inches long. Flowers are clustered at the stem tip. A single flower may be one and one-fourth inches wide. Each flower is attached to a thin, hairy stalk. Five, pink to light purple petals are united at the bottom to form a tube. The fruit is an oblong capsule, up to one-sixth inch in length.
BEHAVIORS
Downy phlox may be found statewide in Illinois. It grows in dry rocky woods and prairies. Flowers are produced from May through August.
Illinois Range
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Polemoniales
Family: Polemoniaceae
Illinois Status: common, native
