Cushion Phlox-Phlox pulvinata

This is an easy alpine plant to identify, cushion phlox (Phlox pulvinata), part of the phlox family (Polemoniaceae). It's sometimes called alpine phlox, and both common names are apt, as it grows in alpine areas in cushions. It flowers early, and in the photo below you can see what the flowers look like after their peak. Then the plant isn't nearly as easy to identify, but it's still not one of the harder ones.
For more information about cushion phlox, click here.