Spiny phlox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spiny phlox |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Phlox
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| Species: |
hoodii
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Phlox hoodii, also known as the spiny phlox or carpet phlox, is a type of phlox plant. It grows in western North America and is a common sight in areas with sagebrush. This plant is one of the first to bloom in spring after the snow melts. You can find it growing from Alaska all the way down to Arizona. There are many different kinds, or subspecies, of this plant.
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About Spiny Phlox
This plant is a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years and does not have a woody stem above ground. It usually grows in a tight mat or a loose clump close to the ground. The plant is quite short, usually no more than 13 centimetres (5 in) tall. Its short stems grow from a strong, woody root system.
Where Spiny Phlox Grows
Spiny phlox is found across a large part of western North America. Its range stretches from the cold lands of Alaska in the north to the warm deserts of Arizona in the south. It is a very common flower in areas where sagebrush grows.
What Spiny Phlox Looks Like
The spiny phlox can look a bit different depending on where it grows. However, it usually forms a dense mat or a loose cluster right on the ground. Its short stems grow from a strong, woody main root. The whole plant is usually not taller than about 13 centimeters (5 inches).
Its Leaves
This plant has many tiny leaves. They are arranged opposite each other on the stem. Each leaf is sharp-pointed and barely longer than 1 centimeter (about 3/8 inch). The plant's surface feels hairy. The hairs can be short or long, and they might feel woolly or like a spiderweb. Before it blooms, the plant can look almost like moss.
Its Flowers
The spiny phlox produces single flowers. These flowers come in different shades, including white, pink, or blue. Each flower has a tube-like base that is about 1 centimeter (3/8 inch) long. This tube then opens up into a flat, five-lobed corolla. The corolla is the part of the flower that looks like petals.
