L.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.152830
Element CodePDPLM0D1T0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderSolanales
FamilyPolemoniaceae
GenusPhlox
Other Common Namesmoss phlox (EN) Phlox mousse (FR)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-04-01
Change Date1983-10-11
Edition Date2025-04-01
Edition AuthorsSoteropoulos (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsPhlox subulata is a perennial herb in open, mostly rocky and dry, habitats occurring natively in eastern North America from southern Ontario, Canada and New York west to Ohio and south to western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and northern Georgia in the United States. This species is widely used in horticulture and has escaped or naturalized more widely throughout eastern North America. There are estimated to be hundreds of occurrences which are somewhat threatened by land-use conversion, habitat fragmentation, and forest management practices, and to a lesser extent by succession. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent and large number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsPhlox subulata occurs natively in eastern North America from southern Ontario, Canada and New York west to Ohio and south to western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and northern Georgia in the United States (Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2025). This species is widely used in horticulture and has escaped or naturalized more widely in eastern North America (Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2025). Range extent was estimated to be over 600,000 square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025 (RARECAT 2024, GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are hundreds of occurrences rangewide (RARECAT 2024, GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, SEINet 2025). However, this taxon is commonly cultivated, and iNatualist observations (>6,000, mostly identified at the species-level) were not evaluated for evidence of cultivation (iNaturalist 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsThis species is somewhat threatened by land-use conversion, habitat fragmentation, and forest management practices, and to a lesser extent by succession (Southern Appalachian Species Viability Project 2002).