Spotted Beebalm Monarda punctata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- mo-NAR-da punk-TAH-tah
- Description
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Spotted beebalm is a native herbaceous perennial to the eastern U.S. and typically occurs in full sun areas with dry soil in prairies, sandy areas, rocky woodlands, and coastal plains. It is a clump-forming, mint family member that features branching or simple, square stems which rise typically to 1'-2' tall sometimes 3'-4'.
Drought tolerant member of the Lamiaceae (mint-square stems) family. Makes excellent cut flowers. Remove spent flowers to improve plant appearance and possibly to prolong bloom. Spreads by runners to form large clumps, but is not considered to be too aggressive.
Host plant for the larvae of both the Gray marvel (Anterastria teratophora) and the Snout (Pyrausta generosa) moths.
Var. arkansana can be found in dry forests and over rocky areas.
Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Plants are susceptible to powdery mildew and rust, especially in crowded gardens, but it is usually in the late season after flowering. Prune stems to increase airflow. In addition, if the soil is allowed to dry out, the stressed plants become increasingly susceptible to disease.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Extension Master Gardener℠ Demonstration Garden, Durham Co.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Monarda
- Species:
- punctata
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Leaves can be used in teas
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern USA
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CA , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI Canada: ON
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds. Ruby-throated hummingbirds and butterflies nectar from the blooms. Members of the genus Monarda support the following specialized bees: Dufourea monardae, Perdita (Perdita) gerhardi, and Protandrena abdominalis. This is a host plant for the Gray Marvel Moth, Anterastria teratophora, and the Snout Moth, Pyrausta generosa, P. signatalis.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is resistant to damage by deer and rabbits.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- Ovoid nutlets that are produced in brown button-like cymes. Fruits are available September-October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Head
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Rosettes of yellowish, purple-spotted, tubular pubescent flowers occur in whorls, forming a dense, elongated spike at the end of the stem or from leaf axils. Each whorl is subtended by large, conspicuous, whitish, purple-tinged, leaf-like bracts. The stacked combination of colored bracts and speckled flowers is unique and showy. Flowers bloom July-September.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Narrowly lanceolate leaves with toothed to smooth edges and pointed tips. The foliage smells of Greek oregano.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Purplish green-brown square mint family stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Insect Pests
- Poor Soil
- Rabbits
- Wet Soil
