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Richardson, Charmaine

Monarda citriodora ssp. citriodora

Monarda citriodora Cerv. ex Lag. ssp. citriodora

Lemon Beebalm, Purple Horsemint, Lemon Mint, Plains Horsemint, Lemon Horsemint, Horsemint, Purple Lemon Mint

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: MOCIC

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

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 studied medicinal plants brought back to Spain from the New World.

From the Image Gallery

124 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Elliptic , Oblong
Leaf Margin: Entire
Size Notes: To about 30 inches in height.
Flower: Flowers in whorled axillary clusters.
Fruit: Nutlets.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , AZ , CA , FL , GA , IL , KS , KY , LA , MO , MS , NE , NM , OK , SC , TN , TX , UT
Native Distribution: E. KY, MO & KS, s. to AR, TX, NM & Mex.; Introduced eastward.
Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannas, Hillsides, Slopes

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
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.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Wildflower meadow, Long-blooming, Shortgrass meadow, Easily grown, Blooms ornamental, Aromatic
Use Wildlife: Bees and butterflies are attacted to this plant. Nectar-Butterflies, Nectar-Bees, Nectar-insects.
Use Food: Leaves used raw or cooked for flavoring in salads, cooked foods, and for tea.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Fragrant Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies , Hummingbirds
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: High

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Easily grown from seed. Spread the seed evenly and rake into loose topsoil in fall or early spring. Supplemental watering is suggested if spring rains are poor. Provide additional water in May if necessary until the plants reach 10 - 12 inches tall. Once established, should reseed itself. Seeding rate is 3 pounds/acre. There are approximately 819,000 seeds/pound.
Maintenance: Allow seeds to mature completely (spherical heads become dry and brown) before mowing or cutting down. Since it is an annual, it is essential this species be allowed to reseed itself for the following year.

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0237 Collected June 9, 1992 in Comal County by Mary Beth White

1 specimen(s) available in the Digital Herbarium

Bibliography

Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 36 - Useful wild plants of Texas, the Southeastern and Southwestern United States, the Southern Plains, and Northern Mexico (Volume 1: Abronia-Arundo) (1995) S. Cheatham; M. C. Johnston; L. Marshall
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

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

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-06
Research By: Joseph A. Marcus

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