Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; south-central British Columbia to south-central Washington, east to Idaho and Montana.
Habitat: Primarily in and near Ponderosa pine forest.
Flowers: April-June
Origin: Native
Growth Duration: Perennial
Conservation Status: Not of concern
Pollination: Butterflies, moths
Somewhat erect, somewhat shrubby, taprooted perennial growing to 5-15 cm. in height. Plants are often glandular hairy on their upper portions.
Opposite, firm, narrowly linear, sharp-pointed (pungent), 5-13 mm. long by 0.5 mm. wide. Often with barely visible, short, erect hairs (cilia) along margins towards base of leaves.
Pinkish-white, mostly solitary at the end of the branches, and often borne on short stalks (pedicels). Sometimes attached directly to branch (sessile). Flowers composed of a fused tube 8-14 mm. long, and 5 lobes that are 7-10 mm. long.
Capsule.
Calyx lobes thickened, and the membrane between the lobes flat; corolla tube is less than twice as long as the calyx.
Publication: J. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 7(1): 41, pl. 6, f. 1. 1834.
Phlox diffusa Benth. ssp. scleranthifolia (Rydb.) Wherry
Phlox douglasii Hook.
Phlox douglasii Hook. ssp. eudouglasii Brand
Phlox douglasii Hook. ssp. rigida (Benth.) Wherry
Phlox rigida Benth.
Phlox scleranthifolia Rydb.
PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Phlox caespitosa in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database.
WA Flora Checklist: Phlox caespitosa checklist entry.
OregonFlora: Phlox caespitosa information.
E-Flora BC: Phlox caespitosa atlas page.
CalPhotos: Phlox caespitosa photos.
USDA Plants: Phlox caespitosa information.
