Monarda punctata
Spotted Beebalm
General
A clump forming native perennial member of the mint family, for which all stems are square in cross section. Flowers attract insect pollinators especially beneficial wasps. Grows in well drained sandy soils in full sun to part shade. Deer resistant.
Plant Description
Leaves opposite, lanceolate, 3 inch long. Flowers develop along the stem in a tiered pattern. Beneath each flower are numerous whorled leaf like structures (bracts) which tend towards white or pinkish, and are typically showier than the flowers.
Height (ft)
2'
Soil moisture
Moist to dry
Soil types
Sandy (coarse) to loamy (medium)
Wetland indicator
UPL
Shade tolerance
Intermediate, Full Sun to Partial Shade
Bloom color
Pink to purple
Bloom period
July to August
Drought tolerance
Moderate to high
Salinity tolerance
None
Range
Sporadic in VT, MA, RI, CT, PA, NJ. South to FL, west to TX.
Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]
Additional Information
According to the USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center, this species was used by many Native American tribes medicinally. The Meskwaki people would create a mixture with the leaves and the florets of Helenium autumnale and other species to treat colds. Other mixtures including this species as ground up into a powder that was then "snuffed" to relieve headaches. Infusions of this plant was used as a face wash to treat skin problems by the Delaware. Mohegan people created an infusion of this plant to treat fevers.