Creeping phlox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Creeping phlox |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Phlox
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| Species: |
stolonifera
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Phlox stolonifera is a beautiful plant often called creeping phlox or moss phlox. It is a type of plant that does not have a woody stem, like a tree or shrub. Instead, it has soft, green stems. This plant is also a perennial, which means it lives for more than two years and comes back every spring.
Creeping phlox is special because it is "stoloniferous." This means it spreads using special stems called stolons, which grow along the ground. These stolons can root and grow new plants, helping the phlox spread out like a carpet.
About Creeping Phlox
Creeping phlox is a plant that grows naturally in woodland areas. It is found near the Appalachian Mountains in the United States. You can find it from Pennsylvania down to northern Georgia. Sometimes, it can also be found further north in Québec, Canada.
What Do Its Flowers Look Like?
The flowers of creeping phlox are very pretty. They can be pale purple, pink, or white. Each flower is about 2 to 2.5 centimeters (about 1 inch) wide. They have five petals that spread out, making a lovely star shape. In the center of the flower, you can see bright yellow stamens. These are the parts that hold the pollen. The flowers grow on stems that stand about 15 to 25 centimeters (6 to 10 inches) tall. Unlike some other phlox plants, creeping phlox flowers do not have a darker color band in the middle.
How About Its Leaves?
The leaves of creeping phlox are shaped like an oval. The leaves that grow on the creeping stems are usually longer. They are about 3 to 4.5 centimeters (1.2 to 1.8 inches) long and about 1.8 centimeters (0.7 inches) wide. The leaves on the taller, flowering stems are a bit smaller, usually around 2 centimeters (0.8 inches) long.
Gallery
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Large patch of phlox
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Creeping stems at edge of patch
