[Phloxes: The Genus Phlox in the Columbia River Gorge 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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The photo at left shows a close-up of the calyx of long-leaf phlox as seen along Washington Highway 14 above the Avery sand pit in the eastern Columbia River Gorge.........May 10, 2009. Note the prominent, keeled membranes between the individual calyx lobes, a diagnostic feature for this species in this region. The photo at right shows an early blooming long-leaf phlox above the east side of the Deschutes River, Deschutes River State Recreation Area......January 29, 2021. This species of phlox can bloom at this location most months of the year when weather allows.
Characteristics:
Long-leaved phlox is a beautiful erect phlox arising from a
woody base to a height of 40 cm on weak stems. It is often found winding its
way through the branches and foliage of small shrubs (especially sagebrush or
rabbitbrush). It frequently is somewhat hairy or glandular, especially within
the inflorescence, but it can be glabrous on its lower half too. The leaves
are linear in shape, 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 tips of the corolla lobes are
not noticeably notched. 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.).
Long-leaf phlox is an attractive perennial wildflower for the
rockery, dry grassland or low shrubland garden to the east of the Cascades.
It occasionally may be obtained from several Pacific Northwest nurseries but
does not do well in the excessive moisture found to the west of the Cascades.
Similar Species:
Showy Phlox: Phlox speciosa
- Corolla lobes noticeably notched. Style very short,
measuring 0.5-2 mm long. Membranes between calyx lobes flat or only slightly
keeled.
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.
In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found between the elevations
of 100'-2200' from near The Dalles, OR. east to the eastern end of the gorge.
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Close-ups of the flower, upper stem leaves and calyx of long-leaf phlox as seen along Washington Highway 14 above the Avery sand pit in the eastern Columbia River Gorge..........May 10, 2009. Note that the tips of the petals are not notched.
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Long-leaf phlox as seen along the east bank of the Deschutes River about 2 miles upstream of the Columbia River........March 31, 2017.
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Longleaf phlox (a short-stemmed form) in bloom in dry grasslands along Washington Highway 14 between Sundale Park and Roosevelt, WA.....May 2, 2019.
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Long-leaf phlox as seen at left along the lower Deschutes River near
its mouth.........early March, 2005. The image at right is a scan of the plants seen directly above from dry grasslands along Washington Highway 14 between Sundale Park and Roosevelt, WA.....May 2, 2019.
Long-leaf Phlox from Horsethief Butte State
Park, WA.
Longleaf phlox from just east of the mouth
of the Deschutes River...........April 3, 2000. Note the position of the 5 anthers.
The keeled membranes between the calyx ribs are not readily apparent in this
photo.
Paul Slichter