Phlox pulvinata
Carpet phlox
(c) Brian Finzel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Polemoniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phlox pulvinata (Carpet phlox) is a native California herb in the Polemoniaceae family, recognized by coarsely ciliate lanceolate leaves that are adaxially flat.
Carpet phlox is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada and eastern Sierra Nevada in dry, rocky areas, subalpine forest, and alpine fell-fields at elevations of 3,300 to 4,300 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces white or pale pink flowers with delicate tubular corollas in solitary terminal blooms. Growing in densely matted or cushion-like formations, it spreads low across rocky mountain terrain with compact stems. Its leaves are small, narrow lanceolate blades 4 to 10 millimeters long with coarse ciliate edges that lie nearly flat against the plant. The plant forms tight, compact mats that hug the rocky alpine landscape, creating resilient ground cover in harsh high-elevation environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; key features are coarsely ciliate lanceolate leaves that are adaxially flat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, rocky areas, subalpine forest, alpine fell-fields
Elevation: 3300-4300 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, Tuolumne, Fresno, Tulare, Siskiyou, Modoc, Alpine
Outside California: to Idaho, Colorado
Bloom period
Phlox pulvinata blooms Jul-Aug.
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 pulvinata native to California?
Yes. Phlox pulvinata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phlox pulvinata bloom?
Phlox pulvinata blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Phlox pulvinata grow?
Phlox pulvinata occurs in Inyo, Mono, Tuolumne, Fresno, Tulare, Siskiyou, Modoc, Alpine, at elevations of 3300-4300 m.
What plant family does Phlox pulvinata belong to?
Phlox pulvinata is in the Polemoniaceae family, genus Phlox.
What habitat does Phlox pulvinata grow in?
Phlox pulvinata grows in Dry, rocky areas, subalpine forest, alpine fell-fields.
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.