The flowers of Woodland Phlox often have a wonderful fragrance and it is a beautiful plant. Compared to other Phlox spp. (Phloxes), its flowers are more blue-violet and less pink in color. However, there is some variation in the color of the flowers across different areas. Woodland Phlox is readily distinguished from other Phloxes by the shape of its flowers: The lobes (or petals) of the corolla are more narrow toward the center of the flower than at their tips. These swollen tips are well-rounded, slightly pointed, or slightly indented; they are never deeply cleft like Phlox bifida (Sand Phlox). The leaves of Woodland Phlox are usually broader than the leaves of other Phloxes, especially those that prefer sunny areas. This is also one of the few Phlox species with sterile shoots that never produce flowers; instead, they store energy in the roots for the production of next year's fertile shoots and flowers.

The fertile shoots of this native perennial plant are about 1–1½' tall and unbranched, except near the apex where the flowers occur. The central stem of each fertile shoot is green to reddish brown and pubescent to hairy; some of these hairs are sticky-glandular. Occasionally, 1-2 short side stems are produced from the axils of the upper leaves. The opposite leaves of the fertile shoots are up to 3" long and 1" across; they are triangular-lanceolate to lanceolate and pubescent or hairy. The margins of the leaves are smooth and ciliate, while at the base they are sessile or clasp the stem. In addition to the fertile shoots, Woodland Phlox also produces infertile shoots that fail to produce flowers. These infertile shoots have a similar appearance to the fertile shoots, except that their stems are somewhat shorter and their leaves are more rounded at the tips. These infertile shoots tend to be less hairy as well. Each upper stem of the fertile shoots terminates in an unbranched cluster of flowers. Each flower spans about ¾–1" across. It consists of a pale blue-violet or lavender corolla with 5 spreading petals that are fused together at its tubular base, and a hairy green or reddish green calyx with 5 teeth that are long and narrow. The throat of the corolla is very narrow; the stamens with their yellow anthers are inserted within the throat. The spreading petals (or lobes) are narrow toward the throat of the corolla, but become broader toward their tips. The tips of these petals are well-rounded, slightly pointed, or slightly indented; they are never deeply indented or cleft. The pedicel of each flower is rather short and hairy. The blooming period occurs during late spring to early summer and lasts about a month. The floral scent is pleasantly sweet and aromatic. Each flower is replaced by a seed capsule containing several seeds. The root system consists of a taproot and above-ground stolons that establish the infertile shoots. Small clumps of plants are often formed by means of these stolons.

Phlox divaricata subsp. laphamii Wherry:
United States (North America)

Phlox divaricata var. laphamii Wherry:
United States (North America)

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Woodland Phlox is a common plant that occurs in nearly all counties of Illinois; it is somewhat less common in the NW area of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to slightly dry deciduous woodlands and areas along woodland paths. In young woodlands that have sprung up where the original woodland was destroyed by plowing or heavy construction, this species is usually absent. It can survive minor, but not severe, degradation of woodland habitat. Removal or thinning of dense stands of Sugar Maple saplings is beneficial because it improves ambient light levels for the infertile shoots.

Woodland Phlox is a common plant that occurs in nearly all counties of Illinois; it is somewhat less common in the NW area of the state (see Distribution Map). Habitats include moist to slightly dry deciduous woodlands and areas along woodland paths. In young woodlands that have sprung up where the original woodland was destroyed by plowing or heavy construction, this species is usually absent. It can survive minor, but not severe, degradation of woodland habitat. Removal or thinning of dense stands of Sugar Maple saplings is beneficial because it improves ambient light levels for the infertile shoots.

Phlox divaricata spp. laphamii (Woodland Phlox)
(Wasps are probably exploratory and non-pollinating, short-tongued bees probably collect pollen and are non-pollinating, other insects suck nectar; some observations are from Wiggam & Ferguson as indicated below, otherwise they are from Robertson)

Bees (long-tongued)
Apidae (Bombini): Bombus sp. (WF), Bombus bimaculatus sn, Bombus griseocallis sn, Bombus impatiens sn, Bombus pensylvanica sn fq, Bombus vagans sn, Psithyrus variabilis sn; Anthophoridae (Eucerini): Synhalonia speciosa sn fq; Megachilidae (Osmiini): Osmia cordata sn

Bees (short-tongued)
Halictidae (Halictinae): Augochlora sp. cp np (WF); Colletidae (Colletinae): Colletes sp. cp np (WF)

Wasps
Vespidae: Polistes metrica (WF) exp np

Flies
Bombyliidae: Bombylius sp. sn (WF), Bombylius atriceps sn, Heterostylum croceum sn (WF)

Butterflies
Nymphalidae: Danaus plexippus sn; Papilionidae: Battus philenor sn, Papilio cresphontes sn, Papilio glaucus sn (Rb, WF), Papilio marcellus sn, Papilio polyxenes asterias sn, Papilio troilus sn; Pieridae: Colias philodice sn, Pieris rapae sn (WF)

Skippers
Hesperiidae: Epargyreus clarus sn, Erynnis icelus sn, Poanes zabulon sn fq, Polites themistocles sn, Thorybes bathyllus sn

Moths
Sphingidae: Hemaris diffinis sn fq (WF), Hemaris thysbe sn, Hyles lineata sn, Smerinthus jamaicensis sn (WF); Noctuidae: Anagrapha falcifera sn, Megalographa biloba sn fq (WF)

The flowers are pollinated by long-tongued bees (especially bumblebees), bee flies, butterflies (especially swallowtails), skippers, and moths (including Sphinx & Hummingbird moths). These insects suck nectar from the flowers. Some insects feed on Phlox spp. (Phloxes), including Lopidea davisi (Phlox Plant Bug; damages buds & flowers), Heliothis phloxiphagus (Spotted Straw; caterpillars feed on flowers), and Lacinipolia olivacea (Olive Arches; caterpillars feed on foliage). The latter two species are moths. The foliage of Woodland Phlox is readily consumed by various mammalian herbivores, including rabbits, deer, and livestock.

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N4 - Apparently Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: T4 - Apparently Secure

The preference is light shade to partial sun, moist to slightly dry conditions, and a rich loamy soil with abundant organic matter. The fertile shoots die down after seeds have been produced, but the infertile shoots remain green for the remainder of the growing season.

Comments: Generally treated as a subspecies of Phlox divaricata, although this taxon may have originated through hybridization of P. divaricata and P. pilosa ssp. ozarkana (cf. Levin, Evolution 21: 92-108, 1967, fide Intl Code Botanical Nomen., St. Louis ed. (2000), Art. H.3.3, Note 1, Ex. 3, regarding taxa of hybrid origin that are not treated as hybrids). LEM 17Oct01.