Specimen record
Bee Balm
Monarda didyma
Description
A showy native wildflower of moist woodland edges and streambanks, bee balm produces dense rounded heads of brilliant scarlet tubular flowers. The plant is a member of the mint family, with characteristic square stems and aromatic leaves. It is a top nectar source for ruby-throated hummingbirds and various butterflies and bees in midsummer.
Identification tips
- 1Dense rounded head of bright scarlet tubular flowers
- 2Square stems (characteristic of the mint family)
- 3Opposite toothed leaves that are strongly aromatic when crushed (minty-citrus scent)
- 4Reddish-tinged bracts beneath the flower head
- 5Grows 60–120 cm tall in moist, partially shaded sites
Specimen & preservation notes
Press a flowering stem with the terminal flower head intact. Slice thick flower heads in half for better pressing. The scarlet color darkens to deep red-brown when dried. Include a note about the aromatic scent on the label, as this is lost in drying.
Habitats
Collection calendar
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Collection notes
Season check
Observed bloom also extends into June and August.
Flowering records: 20 iNaturalist observations, Massachusetts · Nearby: 86 observations within 25 km