Spreading Phlox (Phlox diffusa)

Spreading phlox (Phlox diffusa) is a common matted subalpine wildflower found throughout the mountains of western North America, primarily west of the Continental Divide. It is superficially similar to the generally more southern desert phlox and the two form intermediates in the Seven Devils Mountains of western Idaho. This photo was taken on Granite Mountain, north of McCall, Idaho. July 2004