Sand phlox, or cleft phlox, is a spreading, mat-forming perennial wildflower of dry, rocky soils. The flowers are pale purple or blue to nearly white, tubular with 5 spreading lobes, with each lobe having a deep, V-shaped notch. Blooms March–May. The leaves are many, opposite, linear to lance-shaped, very short, and bright green.
Similar species: There are 9 species in the genus Phlox recorded living wild in Missouri. This is the only one that creeps and has deeply cleft petal lobes.
Height: to about 6 inches.
Southern Ozarks and north-central counties.
Habitat and Conservation
Occurs in dry upland woods, wooded or open slopes, and ledges of bluffs; in dry, rocky soils derived from chert, granite, or limestone; mainly on acidic but also on lime soils.
Human Connections
This is a great native choice for a sunny Missouri rock garden, but do not dig plants from the wild. Instead, visit a local native wildflower nursery that propagates the plants ethically. Some special cultivars have been developed with unique colors.
Ecosystem Connections
A variety of butterflies, moths, and skippers drink nectar from the flowers. A variety of insects and mammals eat the foliage. Plants that grow in thin, rocky soils play an important role in preventing erosion, which is one reason you should not dig them up, or even trample them.
