Monarda didyma Linnaeus. Scarlet Beebalm, Oswego Tea. Phen: Jul-Sep; Sep-Oct. Hab: Seepage slopes, periglacial boulderfields with abundant seepage, streambanks, boggy places, usually in strong to moderately filtered sunlight. Dist: ME west to MI, south to PA and OH, and in the Appalachians south to sw. NC, se. TN, and ne. GA (part of the northern range is likely only by introduction).
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: McClintock & Epling (1942) describe two forms of M. didyma: the "broad-leaved form", with leaves averaging 9.2 cm long and 5.2 cm wide and corollas averaging 35 mm long, ranging south to sc. PA and ne. WV, and the "narrow-leaved form", with leaves averaging 11.8 cm long and 4.4 cm wide and corollas averaging 39 mm long, occurring throughout the range of the species. Further study seems warranted.
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, F, G, GrPl, Il, K1, K3, Mi, NE, NY, Pa, S, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WV, McClintock & Epling (1942), Scora (1967); < Monarda didyma L. – RAB
Wetland Indicator Status:
Heliophily ⓘ: 5
See something wrong or missing on about Monarda didyma? Let us know here: (Please include your name and email if at all complicated so we can clarify if needed.) We greatly appreciate feedback, and will include updates from you in our next webapp update, which can take a few months.
Cite as...