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.