Phlox alyssifolia ssp. alyssifolia Greene
Species Image Gallery
(opens in a new window)
 
TAXONOMY
 
Family: Polemoniaceae
Genus: Phlox
 
Species Synonyms: Phlox alyssifolia ssp. vera Wherry
Common Names: alyssumleaf phlox
blue phlox
 
DISTRIBUTION
 
Canada: southwestern Alberta, south-central Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan: southern Saskatchewan; Wood Mountain – Twelve Mile Lake – Big Muddy Lake
Ecoregion: Mixed Grassland
 
HABITAT
 
Saskatchewan: dry, eroded, stony, grassland ridge-slopes
Associated Species: Astragalus gilviflorus var. gilviflorus, Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus, Hesperostipa comata, Oxytropis campestris, Potentilla concinna
 
RARITY STATUS
 
Provincial Status According
to Harms (2003):
Vulnerable
Nature Conservancy Status:
G5 N2 S1
Saskatchewan Species at
Risk Status:
None
COSEWIC Status:
Not at Risk
 
Phlox alyssifolia ssp. alyssifolia is vulnerable because it is rare or uncommon in Saskatchewan. Possible threats have been identified for this species.
 
SPECIES DESCRIPTION
 
Height: 3 – 10 cm
Stems: base somewhat woody, nearly prostrate, branched
Leaves: 10 – 20 mm long, linear, thick; margins entire, white, hard, ciliate, sharp-pointed
Inflorescence: flowers few
Flowers: calyx 7 – 8 mm long, glandular-hairy, lobes bristle-tipped; corolla 15 – 20 mm long, much longer than calyx, pale blue or white
Fruits: capsule; seeds few
 
PHLOX KEY FOR SPECIES FOUND IN SASKATCHEWAN
 
1 Leaves awl-shaped, less than 2 mm wide; corolla 8 – 10 mm long, only slightly exceeding calyx
P. hoodii ssp. hoodii
1 Leaves linear, 2 – 4 mm wide; corolla 15 – 20 mm long, greatly exceeding calyx
P. alyssifolia ssp. alyssifolia