Phlox austromontana, from two to four inches tall, spreads in dense, low mats.  It is common to find dozens of patches of Phlox austromontana brightening a sandy, barren area.  Phlox austromontana has tiny, stiff, and sharp leaves which are a lighter green than those of its close cousin, P. hoodii.  For a comparison of the characteristics of the two plants, see P. hoodii below.

Coville named this species in 1893 from a specimen collected by Marcus Jones in 1880.  "Austro" is Latin for "southern" and thus the species name means "of the southern mountains".

Semi-desert, foothills. Canyons, shrublands. Spring.
Mud Springs Trail west of Cortez, April 15, 2010.

Semi-desert, foothills. Canyons, shrublands. Spring.
Mud Springs Trail west of Cortez, April 15, 2010 and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, April 19, 2007.

Leaves of P. austromontana (upper photograph) are often lighter green, a bit longer, and more abruptly pointed.  Leaves of both plants are stiff and prickly.

Phlox hoodii and Phlox austromontana are very similar.  P. hoodii is generally a smaller plant in all regards.  It has flowers about 1/3 smaller than those of P. austromontana and its leaves are smaller and more densely clustered along the stem. Several distinguishing factors require a hand lens to note: the calyx of  P. hoodii is not keeled between the main lobes; the calyx of P. austromontana is keeled in the lower half of the area between the calyx lobes.  The calyx of P. hoodii is hairy and the calyx of P. austromontana usually lacks hairs; the ones shown in the photographs at the top of this page are hairy. 

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Phlox austromontana

Range map for Phlox hoodii