How to Identify a Wild Phlox Plant

Wild phlox is also known as Wild Sweet William.

The wild phlox plant, also known as Wild Sweet William, is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the family Polemoniaceae. It can be found in forests and meadows across North America. Wild phlox, an early spring bloomer, flourishes when planted as ground cover and requires little maintenance once established. Identifying phlox in the wild can be tricky, but knowing what the flower and foliage look like is half the battle.

Instructions

1. Note the height and width of the plant in question. The average height of the wild phlox plant is 6 to 12 inches, with a 1-foot to 3-foot spread. If the plant you are looking at is considerably bigger, it probably isn't wild phlox.

2. Check the foliage of the plant. The stems should be rooted along the entire surface of each leaf. Wild phlox leaves have a hairy texture and are semi-evergreen, which means they retain their leaves in locations that experience mild winters. In colder areas, some of the leaves of the wild phlox might turn brown or fall off.

3. Examine the flowers of the plant. The flowers of the wild phlox are salverform, which means the five petals unite in the middle, forming a slender tube that expands at the end. The petals are blue-violet, fragrant and bloom in the spring. The 1-inch flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

4. Observe the growing conditions. Wild phlox grows naturally in moist but well-drained soil. Swampy or arid conditions do not appeal to the wild phlox. It also prefers partial shade and tolerates neither full sun nor full shade.

5. Consider where the plant is growing. Wild phlox often grows in thick forest areas and meadows. If the specimen that you are examining is in a rocky desert or swamp, chances are it isn't wild phlox.

Tips & Warnings

• None of the parts of the wild phlox plant is toxic.

• Wear heavy gloves when handling the wild phlox; the stems can be prickly and irritate your skin.

• Do not mistake Dame's Rocket for wild phlox. Although the two are quite similar, Dame's Rocket has only four petals.

References

• Fine Gardening: Phlox divaricata 'Blue Moon' (Blue phlox, Wild sweet William, Woodland phlox)
• Wildflower: Native Plant Database
• United States Department of Agriculture: Conservation Plant Characteristics

Resources

• Missouri Plants: Phlox Divaricata L.
• Grow It: USDA Hardiness Zone Maps