cushion phlox

Phlox pulvinata (Wherry) Cronquist

Phlox pulvinata, known as cushion phlox, is a perennial herb native to the western United States. It grows in mountainous and plateau regions, including rocky subalpine and alpine areas and exposed tundra. The plant forms a flat, dense cushion on the ground with short, hairy lance-shaped leaves. It is an early spring bloomer, producing dense carpets of white to pale pink flowers with tubular throats and five-lobed corollas.

Description

Phlox pulvinata (Wherry) Cronquist belongs to the family Polemoniaceae and is found in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. It is a low-growing, mat-forming herb with leaves up to one centimeter long. The flowers, which bloom early in the season, have a flat corolla and a tubular throat. The species was published in 1959 and is adapted to high-altitude and rocky environments.