Phlox is a genus of perennial or annual plants, comprising about 60 species, in the family Polemoniaceae. They are herbaceous, flowering plants native to North America and Siberia. They have a wide distribution, from steppe and forest areas to alpine tundra. Some species, such as Phlox paniculata, grow upright and have straight stems. Other species (e.g. Phlox subulata) are crawling and small. In some species, the stems become woody over time. Most species grow spontaneously, sometimes crawling specimens are planted as ground covers. The name of the genus comes from Greek and means "flame", referring to the bright color of the flowers.