27; see text The Polemoniaceae (Jacob's-ladder or phlox family) are a family of flowering plants consisting of about 27 genera[2] with 270–400 species of annuals and perennials native to the Northern Hemisphere and South America, with the center of diversity in western North America.

Only one genus (Polemonium) is found in Europe, and two (Phlox and Polemonium) in Asia, where they are confined to cool temperate to arctic regions; both genera also occur more widely in North America, suggesting relatively recent colonization of the Old World from North America.

[3] The members of the family have five sepals, five petals fused, and five stamens that alternate with the lobes of the corolla.

Grant divides it into three tribes, but with the disclaimer that it is not clear what the correct division is and that the genus classifications may be more useful in this subfamily.

[2] One extinct genus, Gilisenium, has been placed in the family based on an Early Eocene (Ypresian) fossil found in the Green River Formation of Utah.