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Monarda punctata - L.

Common Name Horse Mint, Spotted beebalm
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry sandy soils in fields on or near to the coastal plain[43, 235].
Range N. America - Louisiana and Florida, north to Long Island.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Monarda punctata Horse Mint, 	Spotted beebalm


The botanical register vol. 1 tabl. 87 from www.botanicus.org
Monarda punctata Horse Mint, 	Spotted beebalm
www.forestryimages.org

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Monarda punctata is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment  Tea

Leaves - raw or cooked. A strong aromatic taste, they are used as a flavouring in salads and cooked foods, and also as an aromatic tea[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiseptic  Carminative  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Emmenagogue  Rubefacient  Stimulant  Stomachic  
Vesicant

Horse mint was traditionally taken by several native North American Indian tribes to treat nausea and vomiting, and to encourage perspiration during colds. It was also applied externally as a poultice to treat swellings and rheumatic pains[254]. Nowadays it is used primarily to treat digestive and upper respiratory tract problems[254]. The leaves are carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, rubefacient, stimulant, stomachic and vesicant[4, 61, 238]. An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of flatulence, nausea, indigestion, catarrh in the upper respiratory tract, and to induce sweating and promote urination[4, 254]. The herb is principally used externally as a rubefacient, applied as a poultice it helps to lessen the pain of arthritic joints by increasing the flow of blood in the area and thereby hastening the flushing out of toxins[4, 254]. The leaves can be harvested before the plant flowers, or they can be harvested with the flowering stems. They can be used fresh or dried[238]. The plant is a rich source of the medicinal essential oil 'thymol', which is antiseptic[4, 213, 222]. The plant has been commercially cultivated for its essential oil, though this is now produced synthetically[222]. Thymol is also an effective hookworm remedy, but must be ingested in such large quantities that it can prove fatal to the patient[213].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Essential  Incense

The plant has a pleasing aroma and has been hung in the house as an incense[257].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in ordinary garden soil so long as it is not too dry[1, 200]. Requires a moist soil and a sunny position[200]. This species prefers a light dry alkaline soil[238]. Plants are hardy to about -10°c[260] and should succeed outdoors in most parts of Britain. A polymorphic species[200]. A good bee plant[200]. Subject to mildew in dry summers[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow mid to late spring in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place within 10 - 40 days at 20°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. The seed can also be sown in situ in late summer in areas where the winters are not too severe and will produce larger plants. Cuttings of soft basal shoots in spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania (south), Vermont, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota (southeast), Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, New Mexico, Texas), Mexico (Tamaulipas)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Monarda citriodoraLemon Bergamot, Lemon beebalm. Lemon MintAnnual/Perennial0.6 5-9 FLMHSNM203
Monarda clinopodiaWhite Basil-Balm, White bergamotPerennial1.3 4-8  LMHSNM10 
Monarda didymaBergamot, Scarlet beebalm, Horsemint, Oswego Tea, Bee BalmPerennial0.9 4-10 MLMHSNM323
Monarda fistulosaWild Bergamot, Mintleaf bergamot, Wild Bee-Balm, LupinePerennial1.5 4-10 MLMHNDM322
Monarda menthifoliaMint-Leaved Bergamot, Mintleaf bergamotPerennial0.8 3-7  LMHSNM12 
Monarda pectinataPlains Lemon Monarda, Pony beebalmAnnual/Perennial1.0 0-0  LMHNDM120

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

43200235

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

carol berry   Tue May 3 18:44:36 2005

Can you tell me if this plant is the one commonly called "Indian perfume" in the Native American community? Thanks.

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