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Purple and Blue Wildflower Gallery

Bilateral Symmetry - Mint Family - Horsemint

Lamiaceae (Labiatae) - Mint family

Horsemint (Oswego Tea, Bee Balm, Lemon Mint) Monarda citriodora

Flower spike 4-6" tall with multiple rings of 1/2" flowers and bracts. Plant 12"-18" tall. Bracts open white then turn purple. As the plant ages new flowers can be white.

Photo taken in Taylor County, Texas, June 2004, may & June 2005

(Native of Texas)

Similar Species

Bee Balm (Lemon Balm) Melissa officinalis

This is the original Bee Balm.  It was introduced from the Mediterranean. This is the mint use as garnish or to flavor foods. Flowers are small. (Introduced)

Lamiaceae (Labiatae) - Mint family

Basil Beebalm Monarda clinopodioides

For the longest time, I thought this was a Horsemint drought victim.

Flower spike 4-6" tall with multiple rings of 3/4" flowers. No large bracts. Plant about 12" tall. Calyx tipped in dark red to make the red "fuzz ball". Long toothed leaves are opposite and appear whirled.

Photo taken in Taylor County, Texas, May 2004

(Native of Texas)

Lamiaceae (Labiatae) - Mint family

Spotted Beebalm (Yellow Horse Mint, Plains Beebalm, Pony Beebalm) Monarda punctata

Showy clusters of flowers ringed by pink/lavender leafy bracts.  Flowers are typical mint tubes, pale yellow with purple spots.  Older bracts fade to greenish-white.  Lance shaped leaves, toothed margins, on short petioles, 1"-3" long, smell like oregano.  Leaves and stems are hairy.  Square stem.  Multi-branched plant grows to 3 feet tall.  Tea made from the leaves increases sweating so is good for fevers.  Oil is high in thymol which is used to treat hookworms, kills fungus and bacteria.

Flower photos taken by Sonnia Hill in Van Zandt County, Texas, June 2002

Photos taken in Van Zandt County, Texas, November 2006

(Native of Texas)

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