REMARKS ON THE PHLOX FAMILY. 



By Joseph Breck, Boston, Mass. 



The generic name Phlox is from a Greek word signifying Jlame. 

 The plant so named by the ancients is supposed to be an Agrostemma^ 

 a very different plant. Our Phlox was not known by the ancients. It 

 belongs to the Linnsean class Pentandria ; order Monogynia ; natural 

 order Polefnoniacce, from Poletnoizhim, its type. 



The character of the genus is a three-celled capsule, corolla salver- 

 shaped, divided into five segments, with a conspicuous tube, more or less 

 curved. Stigma, trifid ; a deep, small, five-cleft calyx. 



The genus is exclusively North American, and in the Western and 

 Southern States is one of the most conspicuous ornaments of the prai- 

 ries and woods. I believe none of the species are found in New Eng- 

 land. 



Of all the hardy perennials, there are none, perhaps, of so easy 

 culture, or which are more pleasing than the numerous and highly 

 ornamental family of phloxes. The beautiful varieties of the many 

 descendants of the native species have been wonderfully perfected and 

 increased within the last twenty-five years, and have been so transformed 

 by the skill and care of the florist, that the botanist is at a loss to know 

 from what species the improved sorts have originated. With a good 

 collection of phloxes the garden need not ever be destitute of beauty 

 from May to October. 



VOL. IX. IS 289 



