Monarda didyma#Uses

M. didyma is a perennial plant that grows to {{convert |0.6-1.2|m|ft|frac=2|abbr=off}} in height and spreads {{convert |0.4-0.6|m|ft|frac=2|abbr=on}}. The medium to deep green leaves are {{convert |7–15|cm|abbr=off|frac=2}} long, shaped ovate to ovate-lanceolate, with serrate margins, placed opposite on square, hollow stems. The leaves are minty fragrant when crushed. The plant's odor is similar to that of the bergamot orange (used to flavor Earl Grey tea).{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}

The bright and red flowers are ragged, tubular and {{convert |3–4|cm|abbr=on|frac=2}} long, borne on showy heads of about 30 together, with reddish bracts. It grows in dense clusters along stream banks, moist thickets, and ditches, blooming for about 8 weeks from early to late summer.{{cite web |title=Monarda didyma|url=https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=281403&isprofile=0&letter=M|website=Plant Finder|publisher=Missouri Botanical Garden|access-date=9 September 2021}}

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The genus name comes from Nicolas Monardes, the first European to describe the American flora, in 1569.{{GRIN|access-date=2 January 2018}}

The species is native to eastern North America from Maine west to Ontario and Michigan, and south to northern Georgia, and introduced in other states farther west.{{WCSP|129178|Monarda didyma}}{{BONAP|genus=Monarda|species=didyma|date=2013}}{{PLANTS|symbol=MODI|taxon=Monarda didyma}}

This plants attracts hummingbirds and is a larval host to the hermit sphinx, raspberry pyrausta, and orange mint moth.The Xerces Society (2016), Gardening for Butterflies: How You Can Attract and Protect Beautiful, Beneficial Insects, Timber Press.

Crimson beebalm is extensively grown as an ornamental plant, both within and outside its native range; it is naturalized further west in the United States and also in parts of Europe and Asia. It grows best in full sun, but tolerates light shade and thrives in any moist, but well-drained soil. Several cultivars have been selected for different flower color, ranging from white through pink to dark red and purple.{{cite book |last=Blanchan|first=Neltje| author-link=Neltje Blanchan| title=Wild Flowers Worth Knowing | year=2005 | publisher=Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation}}

Beebalm has a long history of use as a medicinal plant by many Native Americans, including the Blackfoot. The Blackfoot people recognized this plant's strong antiseptic action, and used poultices of the plant for skin infections and minor wounds.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fws.gov/midwest/news/OneidaRestoration.html|title = Restoring wildlife habitat and traditional plants with the Oneida Nation|author=U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region}} An herbal tea made from the plant was also used to treat mouth and throat infections caused by dental caries and gingivitis.{{citation needed|date=November 2011}} Beebalm is a natural source of the antiseptic thymol, the primary active ingredient in modern commercial mouthwash formulas.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} The Winnebago used an herbal tea made from beebalm as a general stimulant.{{citation needed|date=November 2011}} It was also used as a carminative herb by Native Americans to treat excessive flatulence.Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, {{ISBN|0-87842-359-1}}{{cite book |last=Pink|first=A.| url=https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11892|title=Gardening for the Million| year=2004 | publisher=Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation}} The Native Americans of Oswego, New York, made the leaves into a tea, giving the plant one of its common names.{{cite book |last1=Niering |first1=William A. |author-link1=William Niering| last2=Olmstead |first2=Nancy C. |title=The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region |year=1985 |orig-year=1979|publisher=Knopf|isbn=0-394-50432-1 |page=575|id=The Audubon Society}}

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didyma

Category:Flora of the Eastern United States

Category:Flora of Eastern Canada

Category:Plants described in 1753

Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus