[Phlox: The Genus Phlox Found East of
the Cascade Mts. of Oregon and Washington]
Long-leaf Phlox, Long-leaved Phlox
Phlox longifolia
Synonyms: Phlox longifolia ssp. calva , Phlox longifolia ssp. cortezana, Phlox longifolia ssp. humilis, Phlox longifolia ssp. linearifolia, Phlox longifolia ssp. longifolia, Phlox longifolia ssp. typica, Phlox longifolia var. linearifolia, Phlox longifolia var. longifolia, Phlox longifolia var. peberula, Phlox viridis, Phlox viridis ssp. longipes
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Long-leaved phlox as seen on slopes above the east bank of the John Day River about one mile downstream of Oregon Highway 206 in Cottonwood Canyon State Park and adjacent BLM lands........April 9, 2016. The photo at left shows the long-stemmed, diffuse form of this species (as opposed to the compact form of the similar sagebrush phlox (Phlox aculeata) which can also be found in this area.
The
photo at right shows long-leaved phlox from Hart Mt. National Antelope Refuge,
Lake County, OR........July 4, 1996.
Characteristics:
Long-leaved phlox is a beautiful erect phlox arising from a
woody base to a height of 40 cm on weak stems. It frequently is somewhat hairy
or glandular, especially within the inflorescence. The leaves are linear, ranging
in length from 15 to 80 mm long and 1 to 3 mm wide. The leaves are widely spaced
along the stems, and are opposite each other.
The inflorescence is a loose cyme, with several 5-petaled, sweet-scented
flowers at the apex of the stem. The corolla is typically white or pink, with
the tube being about 10 to 18 mm in length. The lobes of the petals are spreading,
about 7 to 15 mm long, and obovate in shape. The calyx is 1/2 to about as long
as the tube. The membranes between the 5 prominent ribs on the calyx are prominently
keeled or bulged outwards near the base. The style is elongated and ranges from
6-15 mm long. The 5 anthers are arranged with 2 near the mouth of the tube,
2 directly below, and a 5th further below near mid-tube (See photo below.).
Habitat:
Long-leaved phlox is found from dry open rocky or sandy places
in the lowlands to moderate elevation in the mountains.
Range:
Long-leaved phlox is found from southern British Columbia south
along the eastern slopes of the Cascades to southern California, and eastward
to the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado,
and New Mexico.
The photo above shows a close-up of the calyx
and tube of long-leaved phlox. Note the white, carinate (keeled) membranes between
the green calyx lobes, a characteristic of this species. Photographed on Oregon
Highway 74 east of Hinton Creek (east of Heppner, OR).........May 6, 2000.
The photo above shows long-leaved phlox as seen in the scablands near the Odessa Craters, north of Odessa, WA.........April 28, 2007.
The photo above shows a close-up of the keeled membranes between the calyx lobes of long-leaved phlox as seen in the scablands near the Odessa Craters, north of Odessa, WA.........April 28, 2007.
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Long-leaved phlox as seen growing in sagebrush near Odessa Craters, Lincoln County, Washington................May 8, 2012.
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Long-leaf phlox as seen in sandy soils atop the White Bluffs North, Hanford Reach National Monument..........April 26, 2014.
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Long-leaf phlox blooming on slopes above the west bank of the John Day River about 1.5 miles upstream from the Cottonwood Canyon State Park campground..........May 3, 2017.
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Longleaf phlox observed along the Hardstone Trail in Cottonwood Canyon and adjacent BLM lands.....March 26, 2021.
A close-up of the calyx of long-leaved phlox.
Paul Slichter