Flower profile

Spiny phlox

Phlox hoodii

Native in the lower 48

Spiny phlox is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 5 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in March–June.

15states

5of our state lists

3,401U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming

Quick look

Phlox hoodii, the spiny phlox or carpet phlox, is a species of phlox. It is a plant of western North America, where it is a common flower in sagebrush country, mostly growing in dry lithosol habitats. It is among the first plants to bloom in spring, after the snow has melted. Its distribution extends from Alaska to Arizona. There are many subspecies.
From Wikipedia's article Phlox hoodii, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Polemoniaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 15 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as native to Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, South Dakota and North Dakota. ^NatureServe
In Montana, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–May. ^iNaturalist
In Wyoming, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–November. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 595 research-grade sightings of it in Montana, ranking #72 among the 109 flowers on our Montana list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 572 research-grade sightings of it in Wyoming, ranking #44 among the 107 flowers on our Wyoming list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 465 research-grade sightings of it in Idaho, ranking #81 among the 109 flowers on our Idaho list. ^iNaturalist

Spiny phlox gift ideas

Handmade spiny phlox gifts from independent makers.

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When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (295 records)

Bloom time in each of our 5 states

State	Type	Peak bloom	Sightings*
Montana	Native	April–May	595
Wyoming	Native	April–November	572
Idaho	Native	January–June	465
South Dakota	Native	few records	166
North Dakota	Native	April–June	148

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: G5 Secure worldwide. ^NatureServe
Montana: No list Montana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Montana ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in Montana.
Wyoming: No list Wyoming has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Wyoming ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in Wyoming.
Idaho: No list Idaho has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Idaho ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Idaho.
South Dakota: No list South Dakota's endangered and threatened list (ARSD 41:10:02) covers animals only, so we show NatureServe's South Dakota ranks for plants. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in South Dakota.
North Dakota: No list North Dakota has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's North Dakota ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in North Dakota.
Rare elsewhere: No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list. For context only: ASPCA lists a related species, Phlox subulata (“Moss Phlox”), as non-toxic to dogs and cats. That doesn't tell us about this species, so keep pets away to be safe. ^ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records spiny phlox in 15 states.

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recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

Montana counties with USDA records: Beaverhead, Big Horn, Blaine, Broadwater, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Dawson, Deer Lodge, Fergus, Gallatin, Garfield, Glacier, Golden Valley, Granite, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Madison, McCone, Meagher, Missoula, Musselshell, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Powell, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Silver Bow, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, Yellowstone.

Wyoming counties with USDA records: Albany, Big Horn, Campbell, Carbon, Converse, Crook, Fremont, Goshen, Hot Springs, Johnson, Laramie, Lincoln, Natrona, Niobrara, Park, Sheridan, Sublette, Sweetwater, Teton, Uinta, Washakie, Weston.

Idaho counties with USDA records: Ada, Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Blaine, Bonneville, Butte, Canyon, Caribou, Cassia, Clark, Custer, Elmore, Franklin, Gooding, Lemhi, Lincoln, Oneida, Owyhee, Teton, Twin Falls, Valley.