Monarda punctata

Monarda punctata is a herbaceous plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, that is native to eastern Canada, the eastern United States and northeastern Mexico. Common names include spotted beebalm and horsemint.[1]

Monarda punctata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Monarda
Species:
M. punctata
Binomial name
Monarda punctata

It is a thyme-scented plant with heads of purple-spotted tubular yellow flowers above rosettes of large white- or pink-tipped bracts. The plant contains thymol, an antiseptic and fungicide.[2] It was historically used to treat upset stomachs, colds, diarrhea, neuralgia and kidney disease.

Varieties
  • Monarda punctata var. arkansana (E.M.McClint. & Epling) Shinners
  • Monarda punctata var. correllii B.L.Turner
  • Monarda punctata var. coryi (E.M.McClint. & Epling) Shinners
  • Monarda punctata var. immaculata (Pennell) Scora
  • Monarda punctata var. intermedia (E.M.McClint. & Epling) Waterf.
  • Monarda punctata var. lasiodonta A.Gray
  • Monarda punctata var. occidentalis (Epling) E.J.Palmer & Steyerm.
  • Monarda punctata var. punctata
  • Monarda punctata var. villicaulis (Pennell) E.J.Palmer & Steyerm.[3]

Description

Unlike the most familiar Monarda species that have a single flower head on a stem, Monarda punctata has flowers that are stacked up the stem with bracts radiating from the stem, under each flower. Varying in color from light pink to white, the bracts are ornamental longer than the flowers, whereas the flowers (yellow with brown spots) are visible only at close range.[4]

Monarda Punctata specimen from Kent Park, Iowa. Found in a sandy section of soil on a hill.
Illustration of Monarda punctata by Sydenham Teak Edwards (1768-1819)

Ecological value

Monarda punctata attracts pollinators in great numbers, especially wasps. Among the wasps that it brings to the garden are beneficial predatory wasps that control grubs, pest caterpillars, and other harmful insects.[4]

References
  1. "Monarda punctata L." Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2011-10-10.
  2. Turner, Matt (2009). Remarkable Plants of Texas: Uncommon Accounts of Our Common Natives. Austin: University of Texas Press. pp. 241–243. ISBN 978-0-292-71851-7.
  3. "Monarda punctata". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
  4. "Monarda punctata - Mt. Cuba Center". Mt. Cuba Center. Retrieved 2017-01-27.


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