Wild Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata): blue Minnesota wildflowers

Wild Blue Phlox

Plant Info
Also known as:	Woodland Phlox
Scientific name:	Phlox divaricata
Family:	Phlox (Polemoniaceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	part sun, shade; rich woods
Bloom season:	spring
Plant height:	10 to 18 inches
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map

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Flower:: Flowers are in a rounded flat cluster about 3 inches across at the top of the stem. Each flower is about 1 inch across with 5 pale blue to blue-violet petals fused at the base, forming a tube, and has a hairy bract. The petals are narrow at the base; the tip end is wider and round or slightly indented, but not notched. Flowers are occasionally white. A plant usually has 1 cluster, but may branch at the top of the plant and have more than 1.
Leaves and stem:: Leaves are slightly different between fertile (flowering) plants and infertile plants. On fertile plants, leaves are 1 to 2 inches long and to ½ inch across with a rounded base, tapering to a blunt or pointed tip, and no leaf stem. Leaves are finely hairy, with short fine hairs along the toothless edges, and are widely spaced along the stem. Attachment is opposite. The main stem is more or less hairy, and may be somewhat sticky. On infertile plants, the leaves may be wider and rounded at the tip end, and less hairy overall.

Photos taken at Wild River State Park, Center City, MN May 2007 and June 2008

Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?