slender phlox
Microsteris gracilis
The tiny flowers of the slender phlox are capable of self-pollinating, ensuring the species can reproduce even if no insect pollinators are nearby.
- Scientific name
- Microsteris gracilis
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Ericales › Polemoniaceae › Microsteris
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Open grassy slopes, meadows, sagebrush scrub, and disturbed areas.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (photosynthesis)
- Range
- Western North America, Pacific Northwest, California, Rocky Mountains, South America
- Size
- 5 to 25 cm tall, flowers 2 to 5 mm wide
- Lifespan
- 1 year (annual)
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Invasive plant species competition, habitat destruction, and intensive livestock grazing.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. You can safely observe this tiny wildflower up close. Avoid stepping on these delicate plants. They are non-toxic, but should be left undisturbed in their natural habitat.
Microsteris is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the phlox family containing the single species Microsteris gracilis , known by the common name slender phlox .
Photo: Mike Ostrowski, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist
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