POLEMONIACEAE: Phlox Family
KEY TO PHLOX SPECIES
1. Internodes of main leaf-bearing part of stems under 10 mm; main leaves 4-20(25) mm; axillary clusters of small leaves common .................. 2
2. Corolla lobes with apical notch 1/8 to 1/4 of lobe length; style much longer than stigma or ovary, ovules and seeds 1 in each carpel .................. P. subulata
2. Corolla lobes entire, shallowly and irregularly cut, or slightly notched; style about as long as stigma or ovary, ovules and seeds 1-3 in each carpel ................................... P. nivalis
1. Internodes of main leaf-bearing part of stems mostly 10-52 mm; main leaves 16-58 mm; axillary clusters of small leaves few to absent ........................................... 3
3. Pedicel (3)7-25(40) mm; pedicel and calyx bearing stalked glands. Corolla lobes V- to U-notched 1/4 to over 1/2 of lobe .................... P. bifida
3. Pedicel 1-4 mm; pedicel and calyx glandless. Corolla lobes entire or nearly so ............................................ 4.
4. Sepals without stiff apices; inflorescence loose open .................................................... P. divaricata
4. Sepals with stiff apices; inflorescence compact..............................................................P. amoena
KEY TO SPECIES OF SE PHLOX BASED ON CHARACTER OF EYE ON COROLLA
1. Eye formed by a single faint to distinct reddish-pink longitudinal narrowly triangular area beginning at base of each lobe ........................................ P. amoena
1. Eye formed by linear colored patches near base of each lobe ................................................... 2
2. Eye a single linear patch extending from inside of the corolla tube to the base of each corolla lobe ...............P. divaricata
2. Eye a pair of colored batches near the base of each lobe.......3
3. Eye a pair of reddish streaks extending from inside of corolla tube onto base of each corolla lobe ..................... P. nivalis
3. Eye a pair of longitudinal dark colored patches near base of each corolla lobe, but not connected with corolla tube ............................................. 4
4. Patches violet and mostly elliptic ............................... P. subulata
4. Patches purple and mostly elliptic to lanceolate ................................. P. bifida