[Phloxes: The Genus Phlox in Mt. Adams Country]

Spreading Phlox

Phlox diffusa

Synonyms: Phlox azurea, Phlox cyanea, Phlox diffusa ssp. diffusa, Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis, Phlox diffusa ssp. subcarinata, Phlox diffusa var. longistylis

Spreading Phlox: Phlox diffusa (Synonyms: Phlox azurea, Phlox cyanea, Phlox diffusa ssp. diffusa, Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis, Phlox diffusa ssp. subcarinata, Phlox diffusa var. longistylis) - Spreading Phlox: Phlox diffusa (Synonyms: Phlox azurea, Phlox cyanea, Phlox diffusa ssp. diffusa, Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis, Phlox diffusa ssp. subcarinata, Phlox diffusa var. longistylis) - Spreading Phlox: Phlox diffusa (Synonyms: Phlox azurea, Phlox cyanea, Phlox diffusa ssp. diffusa, Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis, Phlox diffusa ssp. subcarinata, Phlox diffusa var. longistylis)

Spreading phlox beginning to bloom along the upper third of the Shorthorn Trail #12, Mt. Adams Wilderness......July 10, 2020.

Spreading Phlox: Phlox diffusa (Synonyms: Phlox azurea, Phlox diffusa ssp. diffusa, Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis, Phlox diffusa var. longistylis)

Spreading phlox observed near the headwaters of the Lewis River at the base of the Adams Glacier, Mt. Adams Wilderness......July 18, 2018.

Flowers of Spreading Phlox: Phlox diffusa (Synonyms: Phlox azurea, Phlox diffusa ssp. diffusa, Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis, Phlox diffusa var. longistylis)

The photo above shows a close-up of the spreading corolla lobes of spreading phlox. Photographed in the summit crater of Potato Hill, on the north side of Mt. Adams........June 21, 2005.

Close-up sideview of the flower of Spreading Phlox: Phlox diffusa (Synonyms: Phlox azurea, Phlox diffusa ssp. diffusa, Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis, Phlox diffusa var. longistylis) - Flower of Spreading Phlox: Phlox diffusa (Synonyms: Phlox azurea, Phlox diffusa ssp. diffusa, Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis, Phlox diffusa var. longistylis)

The photo at left shows a close-up side-view of the calyx and tubular corolla of spreading phlox. Note the tufts of hairs found between the calyx lobes. Photographed in the summit crater of Potato Hill, on the north side of Mt. Adams......June 21, 2005. The photo at right shows a flower of spreading phlox with 4 instead of the usual 5 corolla lobes. Photographed along the Highline Trail, above 6000' on the northern side of Mt. Adams......July 24, 2005.

Spreading Phlox: Phlox diffusa (Synonyms: Phlox azurea, Phlox diffusa ssp. diffusa, Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis, Phlox diffusa var. longistylis) - Long taproot of Spreading Phlox: Phlox diffusa (Synonyms: Phlox azurea, Phlox diffusa ssp. diffusa, Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis, Phlox diffusa var. longistylis)

Spreading phlox blooming at left along the Killen Creek Trail #113 about one hundred meters downhill from the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail #2000, Mt. Adams Wilderness.........August 29, 2012. The photo at right shows how long the taproot of spreading phlox can be. Photo from the cut bank of the Lewis River near its headwaters at the base of the terminal moraine of the Adams Glacier, Mt. Adams Wilderness.........August 31, 2019.

Spreading Phlox: Phlox diffusa (Synonyms: Phlox azurea, Phlox diffusa ssp. diffusa, Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis, Phlox diffusa var. longistylis) - Spreading Phlox: Phlox diffusa (Synonyms: Phlox azurea, Phlox diffusa ssp. diffusa, Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis, Phlox diffusa var. longistylis)

Spreading phlox blooming high along the Climber's Trail above Hellroaring Overlook, Tract D Yakama lands at the southeastern corner of Mount Adams.......August 12, 2013.

Spreading Phlox: Phlox diffusa (Synonyms: Phlox azurea, Phlox diffusa ssp. diffusa, Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis, Phlox diffusa var. longistylis) - Spreading Phlox: Phlox diffusa (Synonyms: Phlox azurea, Phlox cyanea, Phlox diffusa ssp. diffusa, Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis, Phlox diffusa ssp. subcarinata, Phlox diffusa var. longistylis)

Spreading phlox as seenat left at about 7100' on the north side of Mount Adams beneath the moraines of the Lava Glacier.........August 11, 2016. The photo at right shows a late-blooming spreading phlox along the upper Lewis River near the Pacific Crest Trail #2000, Mt. Adams Wilderness......October 5, 2020.

Spreading Phlox: Phlox diffusa (Synonyms: Phlox azurea, Phlox diffusa ssp. diffusa, Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis, Phlox diffusa var. longistylis) - Flat mat of leaves of Spreading Phlox: Phlox diffusa (Synonyms: Phlox azurea, Phlox cyanea, Phlox diffusa ssp. diffusa, Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis, Phlox diffusa ssp. subcarinata, Phlox diffusa var. longistylis)

Spreading phlox still in bloom at left along the South Climb Trail on Mt. Adams about one-half mile above the Cold Springs Campground.......October 12, 2014. The photo at right shows the flattened, round mat of spreading phlox along the Round the Mountain Trail #9 in Bird Creek Meadows.....September 2, 2023. This plant is about 1-2' across, and if you look closely, one can see all the numerous opened seed heads.

Spreading Phlox: Phlox diffusa (Synonyms: Phlox azurea, Phlox diffusa ssp. diffusa, Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis, Phlox diffusa var. longistylis)

The photo above shows spreading phlox as seen along the Round the Mountain Trail to the west of Salt Creek on the south side of Mt. Adams........August 31, 1996.
Locations on Mt. Adams where this species has been seen:

Spreading phlox may be found at numerous spots along the Round the Mountain Trail on the south side of Mt. Adams from Horseshoe Meadows to Bird Creek Meadows. It is also found along Rd 23 along the west side of the mountain on steep slopes at the head of the Lewis River drainage. Also search for it above High Camp and on slopes between the terminal moraines of the Lava and Lyman Glaciers and Foggy Flats.


Spreading Phlox: Phlox diffusa (Synonyms: Phlox azurea, Phlox diffusa ssp. diffusa, Phlox diffusa ssp. longistylis, Phlox diffusa var. longistylis)

The photo above shows spreading phlox as seen along the Round the Mountain Trail to the west of Salt Creek on the south side of Mt. Adams............August 31, 1996.

Paul Slichter