Monarda lindheimeri

lindheimer's beebalm
Family

Lamiaceae

Leaf Arrangement

alternate

Leaf Attachment

petiolate

Leaf Margin

crenate, serrate

Leaf Type

simple

Leaf Shape

lanceolate, ovate

Growth Form

forb

Flower Color

white

Flower Month

April - August

Height (meters)

0.3 - 0.6

Milky Sap

No

Armed/Unarmed

Unarmed

Origin

native

Lifespan

perennial

Growing Season

Cool season


Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism

10

Cultural Information

Little information on the culture of Monarda lindheimeri is available, however, propagation and cultivation should be similar to that of Monarda fistulosa. Steffen (1997) recommends cold/dry stratification for best germination.

Natural History

A warm-season forb that reproduces by seed and rhizomes. Lindheimer's Beebalm usually grows in sandy soils in and on the edge of woods in meadows, on slopes and flats in east Texas and into Louisiana. According to the PLANTS database (1998) it is restricted to these two states. The flowers of the Monardas are arch-typical bee-flowers and attract many bees, hence their common name beebalm. The genus was named in honor of Nicholas Monardes, a 16th century physician of Seville, Spain, who wrote about the medicinal plants of the world. In spring the minty leaves may be boiled to make tea or seasoning for food. They may be used fresh or dried. The identity of those plants thought to be M. lindheimeri, found in Louisiana remnants, has not yet been resolved.

Habitat

In sandy soils usually on edges of woods and meadows, and slopes and flats.