Miodget Phlox or Slender

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While many phlox species can be difficult to identify, the diminutive size of midget phlox (Phlox gracilis), or slender phlox, makes its identification fairly straightforward.

The flower head can easily fit onto an average person's little finger tip. The picture shows a Midget Phlox flower enlarged by a factor of four or five to highlight its appearance, which like many phlox species, is characterized by five, pink notched petals.

Another West Coast phlox species, Dwarf Phlox (Phlox condensata) also has small flowers, however their petals are more white and they tend to grow in large bunches. Midget phlox tends to grow as single plants with a handful of flowers emanating from branches off the main stem.

© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels