phlox

noun

ˈfläks 

plural phlox or phloxes

: any of a genus (Phlox of the family Polemoniaceae, the phlox family) of American annual or perennial herbs that have usually pink, purplish, white, or variegated flowers, a salverform corolla with the stamens on its tube, and a 3-valved capsular fruit

Illustration of phlox

Examples of phlox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Groundcovers like creeping wild strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) and spreading phlox (Phlox subulata) can also help cover bare areas, reducing runoff while supporting local wildlife. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024

Hall, also a wedding florist, noted there are other plants growing in the same area, including other dahlias, cosmos, zinnias, and phlox. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 3 Oct. 2024

Many gardeners find these phlox indispensable for August into September color in the perennial garden. —Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2024

Annual and perennial phlox comprised about 70 different species, many of which are native to North America. —Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin Phlox, a genus name, going back to Latin phlog-, phlox "a flame-colored flower," borrowed from Greek phlóx, genitive phlogós "flame, flash (of lightning), blaze, radiance, inflammation, a flame-colored flower," o-grade derivative from the stem of phlégein "to burn up, blaze, gleam" — more at phlegm

Note: The genus name Phlox was introduced by linnaeus (Species plantarum, 1753), who adapted it in Hortus Cliffortianus (Amsterdam, 1737, p. 63) from Theophrastus's name for a plant, identified as the wallflower (Erysimum cheiri) by Liddell and Scott's dictionary and Arthur Hort's translation of Historia plantarum (Theophrastus: Enquiry into Plants, vol. 2 [London/New York, 1916], p. 44).

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

phlox

noun

ˈfläks 

plural phlox or phloxes

: any of a genus of American herbs widely grown for their showy clusters of usually white, pink, or purplish flowers