Intro: Erect, stoloniferous perennial found on seepage slopes, boulderfields with abundant seepage, stream banks, and boggy places, usually in strong to moderately filtered sunlight; often in coloonies.

Stems: Stems 4-angled, unbranched, sometimes hairy on angles.

Leaves: Leaves opposite, petiolate, oval to lance-triangular, 3-6 in. long, with gently toothed margins and hairs on the underside veins; giving off a pungent smell when crushed.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers in crown-like terminal whorls, below which sit several brightly red-tinted, leaf-like bracts. Flowers scarlet-red, 1-1 1/2 in. long, narrowly tubular and split into 2 lips: the upper lip as long as the tube and erect and arched, the lower split again into 3-lobes, with the middle lobe notched and longest; 2 stamens protrude from the tube.

Fruits:

Comments: This species, including cultivars, is widely planted as an ornamental; it attracts hummingbird pollinators.

Height: 2-4 ft.

plant sale text: Beebalm has clusters of showy tubular red flowers that are truly spectacular when it is in full bloom. Hummingbirds seek out the colorful flowers of this plant for their nectar. The foliage of this easily grown plant is aromatic when crushed. Beebalm naturally occurs in wet areas and alongside streams, though it is equally happy in average growing conditions. Beebalm, like most members of the mint family, tends to spread.

bloom table text: Appearing in early summer, the bright red tubular flowers of bee-balm are frequented by both butterflies and hummingbirds. This attractive native plant is easily included in the home garden, provided it receives ample moisture. A hardy perennial that reaches three to five feet in height, it multiplies from the root system to form a larger clump each year. The leaves and flowers possess a citrus flavor, and are used fresh in salads and in flavoring for meat or poultry, and dried in teas and potpourris. Bee-balm also contains thymol, a chemical which can be used as an antiseptic against internal and external infections.

description: Erect, stoloniferous perennial found on seepage slopes, boulderfields with abundant seepage, stream banks, and boggy places, usually in strong to moderately filtered sunlight; often in coloonies.

stems: Stems 4-angled, unbranched, sometimes hairy on angles.

leaves: Leaves opposite, petiolate, oval to lance-triangular, 3-6 in. long, with gently toothed margins and hairs on the underside veins; giving off a pungent smell when crushed.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers in crown-like terminal whorls, below which sit several brightly red-tinted, leaf-like bracts. Flowers scarlet-red, 1-1 1/2 in. long, narrowly tubular and split into 2 lips: the upper lip as long as the tube and erect and arched, the lower split again into 3-lobes, with the middle lobe notched and longest; 2 stamens protrude from the tube.

fruits:

comments: This species, including cultivars, is widely planted as an ornamental; it attracts hummingbird pollinators.

cultural notes:

germination code: 1

native range: eastern United States