Monarda punctata
{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Monarda punctataUGA1120190.jpg
| image_caption =
| genus = Monarda
| species = punctata
| authority = L.{{GRIN|24538|Monarda punctata L.| access-date = 2011-10-10}}
}}
Monarda punctata is a herbaceous plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, that is native to eastern Canada, the eastern United States and northeastern Mexico. Common names include spotted beebalm and horsemint.
Varieties
- Monarda punctata var. arkansana (E.M.McClint. & Epling) Shinners
- Monarda punctata var. correllii B.L.Turner
- Monarda punctata var. coryi (E.M.McClint. & Epling) Shinners
- Monarda punctata var. immaculata (Pennell) Scora
- Monarda punctata var. intermedia (E.M.McClint. & Epling) Waterf
- Monarda punctata var. lasiodonta A.Gray
- Monarda punctata var. occidentalis (Epling) E.J.Palmer & Steyerm
- Monarda punctata var. punctata
- Monarda punctata var. villicaulis (Pennell) E.J.Palmer & Steyerm{{ITIS |id=32279 |taxon=Monarda punctata |access-date=2011-10-10}}
Description
It is a thyme-scented plant with heads of purple-spotted tubular yellow flowers above rosettes of large white- or pink-tipped bracts. The plant contains thymol, an antiseptic and fungicide.{{cite book |first=Matt |last=Turner |title=Remarkable Plants of Texas: Uncommon Accounts of Our Common Natives |publisher=University of Texas Press |location=Austin |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-292-71851-7 |pages=241–243}}
Unlike the most familiar Monarda species that have a single flower head on a stem, Monarda punctata has flowers that are stacked up the stem with bracts radiating from the stem, under each flower. Varying in color from light pink to white, the bracts are ornamental longer than the flowers, whereas the flowers (yellow with brown spots) are visible only at close range.{{Cite news|url=http://mtcubacenter.org/trials/monarda/monarda-punctata/|title=Monarda punctata - Mt. Cuba Center|newspaper=Mt. Cuba Center|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-27}}
Ecological value
Uses
It was historically used to treat upset stomachs, colds, diarrhea, neuralgia and kidney disease.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline|Monarda punctata|Monarda punctata}}
- {{Wikispecies-inline|Monarda punctata|Monarda punctata}}
- {{CalPhotos|Monarda|punctata}}
- http://mtcubacenter.org/trials/monarda/monarda-punctata/
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1760733}}
Category:Plants described in 1753
Category:Flora of the Eastern United States
Category:Flora of the United States
Category:Flora of Northeastern Mexico
Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
{{Lamiaceae-stub}}