Santa Catalina Mountain Phlox
Phlox tenuifolia
Family: Polemoniaceae
Perennial plant growing to about a foot high, spreading about 2’. White flowers in warm weather.
Full to part sun, moderate water, hardy to at least 15°F.
Full to part sun, moderate water, hardy to about 0°F. Larval food plant for several moth species including several species of Euxoa, the Corn Earworm Moth (Helicoverpa zea) and the Darker-spotted Straw Moth (Heliothis phloxiphaga). Nectar used by hummingbirds, butterflies, and several other nectar-feeding insects.
Used medicinally by many people.
Photo by Katja Schulz on iNaturalist
Phlox tenuifolia on SEINET
There are 72 species of Phlox found mostly in North America (one in Siberia) in diverse habitats from alpine tundra to open woodland and prairie.There are several similarly growing native Phlox species that may show up in the native plant nurseries. Phlox is from the Greek phlox, or flame, while tenuifolia means having finely divided or slender leaves.
Found in open to shaded sites, in canyons, rocky ravines, from 1,500-5,000 ft. mostly in Arizona with a population known in Sierra El Humo of Sonora.