Phlox austromontana – “Southern Mountain Phlox”

Family: Phlox (Polemoniaceae)
Bloom Period: May-Jun
Form: Perennial herb
Habitat: Gravelly soils; at the “Pebble Plains”
Leaves: Lanceolate; opposite
Translation: “Phlox” is Greek for “flame,” which characterizes the bright flowers; “austromontana” is Latin for “[of the] southern mountains,” which describes its native habitat in the Southwest U.S.
Native American Uses: The Havasupai made a decoction of pounded roots and rubbed it over the body for aches and colds and gave it to babies with stomach aches. The Kayenta treated toothaches by putting the crushed plant into cavities.