Phlox hoodii subsp. canescens
Jim Morefield from Nevada, USA (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phlox hoodii subsp. canescens is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by glabrous stems, woolly hairs at calyx lobe bases, not glandular.
Hood's phlox is a California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada and Great Basin regions in open, rocky areas, sagebrush scrub, and pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations of 1,500 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white to lilac flowers with a corolla tube 10 to 12 millimeters long. Growing as a low, compact mat or cushion-like form with glabrous stems, it forms dense ground-covering clusters. Its leaves are small, awl-like, and generally hairy, creating a soft, textured appearance. The plant's woolly calyx near the lobe bases adds to its distinctive alpine and desert mountain adaptation.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; distinguished by glabrous stems, woolly hairs at calyx lobe bases, not glandular
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, rocky areas, sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1500-2700 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Alpine, Tuolumne, Kern, Lassen, Sierra, Plumas
Outside California: Montana, Utah, northern Arizona
Bloom period
Phlox hoodii subsp. canescens blooms May-Jul.
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 hoodii subsp. canescens native to California?
Yes. Phlox hoodii subsp. canescens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phlox hoodii subsp. canescens bloom?
Phlox hoodii subsp. canescens blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Phlox hoodii subsp. canescens grow?
Phlox hoodii subsp. canescens occurs in Siskiyou, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Alpine, Tuolumne, Kern, Lassen and other counties, at elevations of 1500-2700 m.
What plant family does Phlox hoodii subsp. canescens belong to?
Phlox hoodii subsp. canescens is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Phlox.
What habitat does Phlox hoodii subsp. canescens grow in?
Phlox hoodii subsp. canescens grows in Open, rocky areas, sagebrush scrub, pinyon/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.