Phlox drummondii is a flowering plant

Flowering plant

The flowering plants , also known as Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta, are the most diverse group of land plants. Angiosperms are seed-producing plants like the gymnosperms and can be distinguished from the gymnosperms by a series of synapomorphies...

 in the genus Phlox

Phlox

Phlox is a genus of 67 species of perennial and annual plants found mostly in North America in diverse habitats from alpine tundra to open woodland and prairie. Some flower in spring, others in summer and autumn....

. This plant is native to Texas

Texas

Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...

, but is widely distributed in the southeastern United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, especially along public highways. P. drummondii is often used as an ornamental plant

Ornamental plant

Ornamental plants are plants that are grown for decorative purposes in gardens and landscape design projects, as house plants, for cut flowers and specimen display...

. According to J. P. Kelly "the colors have a wide range from white and cream through pinks, lilacs, roses, purples and reds, to almost black".

The branches of the Phlox drummondii have sharp, pointed, lengthy, ciliated leaves with rounded flowers. The flowers are generally one-inch singles or double, with star shaped petals and a flatness. They have a light fragrance. The flowers mature to 8-10 inches x 8-10 inches. Due to the flower's experience with northern temperate zones, it tolerates cold weather well, but requires healthy watering and dislikes drought, wind and heat.