"Sweet William"
Phlox divaricata
NOTE: Sweet William which is a name sometimes applied to this plant is also used for at least 3 other species in Illinois
(Spring Woodland Flowers of Illinois- R. Mohlenbrock)
Plant:
Blue Phlox| Name: "Sweet William" Phlox divaricata |
Description: FAMILY: Phlox (Polemoniaceae)
GROWTH FORM: perennial from tufts of roots. STEMS: Creeping as well as upright, finely
hairy, up to 1 1/2' tall. LEAVES: Opposite, simple lanceolate to oblong to ovate; finely
hairy, without teeth, up to 4" long. FLOWER ARRANGEMENT: Several in terminal
clusters. FLOWERS: Up to 1 1/4" across, on slender stalks. SEPALS: 5, very narrow,
untied below, green, hairy. PETALS: 5, untied below in a slender tube, the lobes sometimes
notched at the tip, blue to blue-violet. STAMENS: 5, attached to the tube of the petals.
PISTIL: Ovary superior; stigmas 3. FRUIT: Capsule oblong, up to 1/6" long. HABITAT:
Rich woods. TIME OF FLOWERING: Mid-April to early June. NOTE: Sweet William which is a name sometimes applied to this plant is also used for at least 3 other species in Illinois (Spring Woodland Flowers of Illinois- R. Mohlenbrock) |
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Photos courtesy: PHS