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Monarda lindheimeri (Lindheimer's beebalm)
Cliffe, Harry

Monarda lindheimeri

Monarda lindheimeri Engelm. & A. Gray ex A. Gray

Lindheimer's Beebalm, Lindheimer Beebalm

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: MOLI2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

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.

This species is named after Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer (1801-1879) who is often called the Father of Texas Botany because of his work as the first permanent-resident plant collector in Texas. In 1834 Lindheimer immigrated to the United States as a political refugee. He spent from 1843-1852 collecting specimens in Texas. In 1844 he settled in New Braunfels, Texas, and was granted land on the banks of the Comal River, where he continued his plant collecting and attempted to establish a botanical garden. He shared his findings with many others who shared his interest in botany, including Ferdinand von Roemer and Adolph Scheele. Lindheimer is credited with the discovery of several hundred plant species. In addition his name is used to designate forty-eight species and subspecies of plants. He is buried in New Braunfels. His house, on Comal Street in New Braunfels, is now a museum.

 

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Fruit: Nutlets.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: LA , TX

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2) , Acidic (pH<6.8) , Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Nectar for bees butterflies and a variety of other insects.
Use Food: Aromatic foliage used for tea.
Use Medicinal: Flowers used as diaphoretic. Can be gargled or made into a tea for sore throat.
Use Other: Aromatic foliage used for potpourris.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Special Value to Bumble Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Bibliography

Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Monarda lindheimeri in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Monarda lindheimeri in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Monarda lindheimeri

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-02
Research By: TWC Staff

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