Monarda media Willdenow. Common name: Purple Beebalm. Phenology: Jul-Sep; Sep-Oct. Habitat: Northern hardwoods forests, spruce-fir forest openings, other moist slopes, mostly at high elevations. Distribution: VT west to IN, south to w. MD; disjunct in w. NC, e. KY, and e. TN, part of the range perhaps the result of cultivation.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: M. media is a problematic taxon, especially in combination with M. fistulosa var. rubra. Many have suggested that M. media is the result of hybridization or introgression of M. didyma with either M. fistulosa or M. clinopodia, or both (see Scora 1967). Scora (1967) implies that M. media consists of hybrids, backcrosses, and ‘introgressive elements’ involving all three pairwise combinations, and the three-way combination, but that M. fistulosa var. rubra is not of hybrid origin. Needed are studies of M. media, M. fistulosa var. rubra, and their possible parents which go beyond the herbarium and determine the genetics, origin, and population structure of these taxa. It seems best for the moment to recognize (or to attempt to!) M. media and M. fistulosa var. rubra in order to foster additional observation and study, hopefully leading to a more definite understanding of their taxonomic status(es).
Synonymy ⓘ: = G, NE, NY, Tn, McClintock & Epling (1942); = Monarda ×media Willd. (pro sp.) — Il, K4, Mi, W, Scora (1967); = n/a — Tat; < Monarda didyma L. — RAB; < Monarda media Willd. — C, F, Pa, S, Va, WV. Basionym: Monarda media Willd. 1809
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Midwest: UPL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
Heliophily ⓘ: 6
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© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Grant Morrow Parkins | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
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Height: 2-3 ft.
plant sale text: Purple beebalm is less common but similar to beebalm Monarda didyma in shape and size, but with dramatic reddish-purple flowers. It thrives in the rich, moist soil along streambanks and ditches, but is also happy in average garden soils. Like beebalm, purple beebalm has a rhizomatous root system and has a tendency to spread. The Monarda genus supports up to 7 lepidoptera species.
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native range: Eastern North America
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