Phlox douglasii
Douglas' phlox
(c) Tom Wainwright, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Phlox douglasii (Douglas' phlox) is a native California perennial in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by cushion-like habit with glandular-hairy herbage throughout.
Douglas' phlox is a California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada and Great Basin bioregions in dry sagebrush scrub and juniper woodland at elevations of 1,500 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces pink, pale lavender, or white flowers in small terminal clusters of 1 to 3 blossoms. Growing as a compact, mat-like or cushion-like plant with glandular-hairy stems, it forms dense low-growing colonies. Its leaves are small and sharp-tipped, lance-linear in shape, measuring 4 to 8 millimeters long. The flower's pale pink to white corolla tube extends approximately 10 millimeters, creating a delicate and intricate bloom.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; key features are cushion-like habit with glandular-hairy herbage throughout
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry areas, sagebrush scrub, juniper woodland
Elevation: 1500-2000 m
Outside California: to southern Washington
Bloom period
Phlox douglasii blooms Apr-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Linanthus: Phlox has opposite leaves; Linanthus has alternate leaves arranged singly along the stem.; vs Leptosiphon: Phlox leaves are completely undivided blades; Leptosiphon leaves are deeply cut into finger-like segments.; vs Pelargonium: Phlox has opposite, narrow unlobed leaves; Pelargonium has alternate, round lobed leaves with strong scent.; vs Catharanthus: Phlox is native with opposite leaves; Catharanthus (periwinkle) has glossy opposite leaves with white midvein.; vs Dianthus: Phlox has spreading 5-petaled flowers with tube; Dianthus has fringed or toothed petals emerging from tubular calyx.
Frequently asked questions
Is Phlox douglasii native to California?
Yes. Phlox douglasii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phlox douglasii bloom?
Phlox douglasii blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Phlox douglasii belong to?
Phlox douglasii is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Phlox.
What habitat does Phlox douglasii grow in?
Phlox douglasii grows in dry areas, sagebrush scrub, juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.