Monarda citriodora Cerv. ex Lag.

Lemon Beebalm; Lemon Bergamot; Lemon Mint

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Lemon Beebalm is a native herbaceous annual in the Mint family (Lamiaceae). It can be found in the Black Belt of Central Alabama and the Tennessee Valley of North Alabama in areas underlain by limestone. Lemon Beebalm grows in prairies, in cedar glades, on chalk outcrops, and on roadsides. It is an annual with a taproot. The stems are 6-24 inches in height, green or reddish in color, 4-angled, and pubescent. Leaves are opposite, petiolate, elliptic to oblong in outline, toothed, and pubescent. The foliage has the odor of lemon or oregano. Flowers are produced in 2-3 whorls of head-like cymules. The flowers are subtended by a whorl of large purple bracts. Individual flowers have a green calyx with 5 teeth and a 2-lipped corolla. The upper lip of the corolla is entire and the lower lip is 3-lobed. The corolla is pinkish to lavender in color. The fruit is a mericarp. Lemon Beebalm is available from wildflower seed companies as seed. The seed should be planted in the autumn. Lemon Beebalm can be planted in a prairie or meadow garden or in a pollinator garden. It prefers a well-draining soil in full sun.--A. Diamond

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Native

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