About Phlox dolichantha A.Gray
Phlox dolichantha A.Gray is a species of phlox with the common name Big Bear Valley phlox. This plant is endemic to San Bernardino County, California, and is restricted to the area around Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains. It grows in forests and in the region's unique local pebble plain habitat, and it occurs at elevations over 2,000 meters, or 6,600 feet. It is an erect, branching perennial herb that grows up to 30 centimeters, or 12 inches, tall. Its leaves are linear or narrowly lance-shaped, measure 2 to 5 centimeters (0.79 to 1.97 inches) long, and are arranged oppositely along the plant's slender stems. The inflorescence consists of one or more showy flowers growing at the tip of the stem. Each flower has a very slender tubular throat that can reach up to 5 centimeters (2.0 inches) long, and may be white, pink, or lavender. The flowers are pollinated by a range of different insects, including the hawkmoth Hyles lineata, and flies from the genera Anthomyia and Tachypeza.
