About Phlox speciosa Pursh
Phlox speciosa Pursh has an erect stem, with leaves that measure 1–5 cm long and are lance-linear in shape. It produces a terminal inflorescence, with leaf-like bracts positioned below it; its pedicels are slender and measure 3–20 mm long. The calyx is 7–10 mm long, and its membrane is not keeled. The corolla ranges in color from bright pink to white, and has heart-shaped lobes; the corolla tube is 10–15 mm long, and lobes are obcordate to deeply 2-lobed. The stamens are short, with anthers contained within the corolla tube. The style measures 0.4–2 mm long, and the stigmas are longer than the style. This species grows on rocky, wooded slopes and in sagebrush scrub, at elevations between 500 and 2400 meters. Several subspecies of Phlox speciosa have been named, and further study of this group is needed. It flowers from April to June. This plant is widely distributed, and occurs at many serpentine sites across the western United States. In southern Oregon, Phlox speciosa is known to co-occur with Darlingtonia californica at Eight Dollar Mountain Botanical Wayside, which is managed by the BLM Medford District. It is also confirmed to grow at Deer Creek Center near Selma, Oregon.
