P h o t o b y K S N P C S t a f f
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Habitat:
Dry cliffs, bluffs, sandhills, dunes, dry sandy soil and rock ledges, cedar glades.
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Species Description:
Perennial herb.
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Phenology:
Flowering Period: Mid March to late May.
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Additional Information at NatureServe
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Diagnostic Characteristics:
Starry cleft phlox has narrow almost needle like leaves (ca 15-50 mm long and only 1-2 mm wide). The plants form low mats and are stems semi-woody. The flowers are light blue to white, notched to about 1/2 their length. The plants are found associated with rock outcrops. This subspecies differes in having trichomes eglandular or absent (subsp. bifida has glandular trichomes).
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Management:
Timber removal would be detrimental. Exotic pest plants are a threat to this species and should be removed. Avoid creating access to the site through trail or road construction.
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Global Range:
Very local, sporadic from southern Illinois and Indiana, southward through Kentucky into Tennessee and Missouri. Potentially recorded from southern Michigan.
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Known Kentucky Occurrences:
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