Microsteris gracilis
Synonyms: Gilia gracilis, Gilia gracilis var. humilior, Microsteris gracilis ssp. humilis, Microsteris gracilis var. gracilis, Microsteris gracilis var. humilior, Microsteris humilis, Microsteris micrantha, Phlox gracilis ssp. gracilis, Phlox gracilis ssp. humilis, Phlox gracilis var. humilior
Photo at right of Microsteris
gracilis from Cabin Lake C.G., Deschutes N.F., May 25, 1996.
Midget phlox is a small wildflower to 30 cm in height. It frequently is seen as a single upright stem several side branches, but may also be much-branched. The leaves are linear or lance-linear or even elliptic in shape. Length of the leaves may be as much as 5 cm with an 8 mm width. The flowers are found typically in pairs at the ends of the stems and branches. The corolla is 5 to 15 mm long, with a white or yellowish tube and pink or lavender limb. The tips of the petals are often notched.
Midget phlox is a plant of moist to dry open places, typically in the lowlands and foothills.
Midget phlox is found from southern British Columbia south to Baja California and South America and eastward to Montana.
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