Lemon Bee Balm
Monarda citriodora
Lamiaceae
Other names
Lemon Mint
Growth habit
Herbaceous
Perennation
Annual
Native distribution
Kansas to Mexico
Biocultural value
Leaves are brewed into a lemon-flavored tea.
Location
Source of plant
Pinetree Garden Seeds
Description
Annual, 30-60cm. Stem unbranched or branched at the inflorescence, pubescent. Leaves 3-6cm, lanceolate or oblong, evenly puberulent throughout, margins remotely serrate or ciliate; petioles to 3cm. Glomerules 1.5-3.5cm across, subtending outer subfoliar bracts, inner bracts oblong, occasionally lanceolate, 5-9mm broad, abruptly acuminate to a spinose bristle 2-5mm long, inner surfaces canescent often purple, outer surfaces pubescent; calyx tube 6-13mm, puberulent, mouth bearded, teeth 2-7mm, aristate, hirsute; corolla white or pink, dotted with purple, tube 7-19mm long, throat funnel-shaped, upper and lower lips equal.
USDA Hardiness Zone
7
Special characteristics
food