Purple Horsemint (Monarda citriodora)
Description: Known by a number of common names, lemon beebalm is a 1-2 ft., aromatic winter annual with unusual, tuft-like, lavender to pink, whorled flower heads. Each whorl in the elongated spike is subtended by whitish or lavender, leaf-like bracts. Several stems grow from the base and are lined with pairs of lance-shaped leaves. Horsemint has a distinctive citrus or lemony scent when the leaves are rubbed or crushed. It is very easy to grow and often forms large colonies. Bees and butterflies are attracted to this plant. Linnaeus named the genus Monarda in honor of a 16th-century Spanish physician and botanist, Nicolas Bautista Monardes (1493-1588). Monardes never went to the Americas but was able to study medicinal plants in Spain because Spain controlled navigation and commerce from the New World.
Family: Lamiaceae
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: MOCI
Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Size Class: 1-2 ft.
Bloom Color: White, Purple, Pink
Bloom Time: May, Jun, Jul
Water Use: Low
Light Requirements: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Bloom Notes: Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs, Hillsides, Slopes.
Soil Description: Sandy loam to rocky soils. Clay Loam, Medium Loam, Sandy Loam, Sandy, Clay
Conditions Comments: Bees and butterflies are especially attracted to this pretty plant. It often occurs in large masses. Lemon mint is very easy to grow and often forms large colonies. It can become aggressive if given optimum growing conditions. It is susceptible to powdery mildew.
Missing Images: Plant, Leaf, Fruit-Seed
Data Completeness: Complete
ATTRIBUTION: All of the Texas Wildflower images in this post are copyrighted and are the exclusive property of Terry B. Kahler. Reproduction without explisit written consent is prohibited. Some of the information contained in this section was taken from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website and is being used under their terms of use. Redistribution from this site is prohibited. Additional information contained in this section was taken from the USDA website including the USDA code.
