Prairie Phlox, Downy Phlox, Deam’s Phlox, Hairy Phlox

Phlox pilosa

floks  pil-OH-suh

Synonyms of Phlox pilosa (2) (Updated on 5-26-25 from Plants of the World Online): Armeria pilosa (1891), Phlox pilosa var. typica (1942) (not validly pub.)
Synonyms of Phlox pilosa subsp. pilosa (autonym) (9): Phlox pauciflorus (1861, pub. 1962), Phlox argillaca (1911), Phlox aristata (1803), Phlox aristata var. canescens (1803), Phlox aristata var. virens (1803), Phlox pilosa f. albiflora (1892), Phlox pilosa var. pubiflora (1942), Phlox pilosa var. texana (1907), Phlox pilosa var. virens (1931)
Synonyms of Phlox pilosa subsp. detonsa (2): Phlox detonsa Small (1903), Phlox pilosa var. detonsa (1870)
Synonyms of Phlox pilosa subsp. fulgida (1): Phlox pilosa var. fulgida (1931)
Synonyms of Phlox pilosa subsp. longipilosa (2): Phlox longipilosa (1971), Phlox pilosa subsp. longipilosa (1981)
Synonyms of Phlox pilosa subsp. ozarkana (1): Phlox pilosa var. ozarkana (1935)
Synonyms of Phlox pilosa subsp. pulcherrima (3): Phlox amplexicaulis (1817), Phlox pilosa var. amplexicaulis (1931), Phlox pulcherrima (1945)
Synonyms of Phlox pilosa subsp. riparia (2): Phlox drummondii var. villosissima (1870), Phlox villosissima (1903)

Phlox pilosa L. Is the accepted scientific name for this species. The genus and species were both named as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the first volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

Accepted Infraspecific Names (9) (Updated on 5-26-25 from POWO): Phlox pilosa subsp. deamii D.A.Levin (1966), Phlox pilosa subsp. detonsa (A.Gray) Wherry (1956), Phlox pilosa subsp. fulgida (Wherry) Wherry (1956), Phlox pilosa subsp. longipilosa (Waterf.) Locklear (2009), Phlox pilosa subsp. ozarkana (Wherry) Wherry (1956), *Phlox pilosa subsp. pilosa (autonym), Phlox pilosa subsp. pulcherrima Lundell, Phlox pilosa subsp. riparia Wherry (1955), Phlox pilosa subsp. sangamonensis D.A.Levin & D.M.Sm. (1965). *When an infraspecific taxon is named, an autonym (“type-specimen”) is automatically generated whose description is closest to the (original) species. Most have their own list of synonyms… 

As of 5-26-25 when this page was added, Plants of the World Online lists 69 species in the genus Phlox. It is a member of the plant family Polemoniaceae with 27 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.

The above distribution map for Phlox pilosa is from Plants of the World Online. The map on the USDA Plants Database is similar. Areas in green are where the species is native. You can click on the links to go to each of the infraspecific taxons.

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations. I post all my observations on iNaturalist.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A POSITIVE ID.

I was invited to visit a private well-maintained native prairie not far from home on 5-5-25. It was quite amazing! I ran across 11 species I hadn’t seen before including Phlox pilosa.

This species looked very familiar and was indeed a Phlox. Even so, the plants were much shorter than the species I have become familiar with.

While the sessile, lance-shaped leaves grow in an opposite manner, they are smaller and narrower than Phlox divaricata (Wild Blue Phlox).

I was surprised to learn there are 9 subspecies of this species.

I will come back later and write descriptions and hopefully get pack to the prairie to take more photos.

The links at the bottom of the page provide a wealth of information written by people more knowledgeable than me.

To read about my trip to the private prairie and the other species I found there on 5-5-25, click HERE.

I live on the family farm in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street, and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away). I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the page). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a few horticulturalists I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be variable from location to location, so that can be a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and they have provided much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF MISSOURI (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF NORTH AMERICA (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
iNATURALIST
MISSOURI PLANTS
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
ARKANSAS NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
BACKYARD NATURE
COASTAL PLAINS PLANTS
DAVE’S GARDEN
FLORA FINDER
FRIENDS OF THE WILDFLOWER GARDEN
GARDENIA
GO BOTANY
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
IOWA PLANTS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
SEINet
U.S. WILDFLOWERS

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂