Phlox stellaria
- noun
- Specialized
:
Phlox stellaria
- Gardeners admire Phlox stellaria for its ability to form dense mats in challenging terrains.
Examples
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The rocky slopes were covered with patches of Phlox stellaria in early spring.
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During our hike, we spotted the delicate white flowers of Phlox stellaria among the stones.
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The beautiful Phlox stellaria blooms in spring.
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I found a patch of Phlox stellaria near the hiking trail.
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During our hike, we spotted the delicate white flowers of Phlox stellaria among the stones.
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The rocky slopes were covered with patches of Phlox stellaria in early spring.
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I found a patch of Phlox stellaria near the hiking trail.
Synonyms
A low plant with small star-shaped flowers that grows in rocky places
A low plant that grows in flat mats with pale blue or lavender flowers on dry rocky ground
A low plant that forms a mat on rocky ground with small pink flowers
Surface Forms
Morphology
This is a Linnaean binomial combining the genus name Phlox with the species epithet 'stellaria', so a learner who knows the constituents would reliably infer it refers to a type of plant/flower. However, the precise meaning ('a low, mat-forming herb found in rocky places') and the growth habit are botanical details not predictable from the two genus names alone, and species epithets are often opaque to non-specialists.
Etymology
Phlox stellaria comes from two old words: Phlox meaning 'flame' and stellaria meaning 'star', because the plant's small, bright flowers look like tiny stars on a low mat of leaves. So the name helps you remember this low, mat-forming herb with star-like flowers.
