Intro: Erect, short-lived perennial growing in maritime forests, dry rocky or sandy woodlands, clearings and fields and roadsides.

Stems: Stems 4-angled, sparingly branched, brown to reddish-purple, with soft hairs beneath.

Leaves: Leaves opposite, petiolate, lance-shaped to narrowly elliptic, to 3 1/2 in. long, with toothed margins and softly hairy.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers in 2--6 whorled clusters along upper reaches of stem, each whorl subtended by conspicuous whitish to pink-purple bracts. Flowers yellow- and purple-spotted, to 1 in. long, bilaterally symmetric, tubular and split into 2 lips, the upper one longer than the stamens, strongly arched, and bearded at the tip, and the lower 3-lobed with a notched middle lobe.

Fruits:

Comments: Like other Monarda species, this one has a history of medicinal use and was once planted as a commercial source of thymol, which has strong antiseptic properties. Varieties var. arkansas and var. villicaulis are recognized on the basis of type of pubescence on lower leaf surface and stems, and leaf size. Consult a technical guide (see Appendix) for identification.

Height: 2-3 ft.

plant sale text: Eastern horse-mint intricate detailed tiers of fragrant flowers provide a beautiful show in midsummer. The true flowers are pale yellow, with showy bracts tinged with lavender and rose- pink. This SE native perennial makes an excellent cut flower. A single plant makes a nice accent, or you can group several in your perennial garden or meadow. This is a must-have for butterfly gardens. Historically used to treat flu-like symptoms

bloom table text: This species has rather unusual-looking flowers and attractive bracts. Blooming in mid to late summer, this plant adds color and contrast to a landscape. It is easily distinguished from most Monarda spp. (Bee Balms) by its multiple whorls of fragrant flowers on the same stem. An aromatic erect perennial ranging from only 6 in. to almost 3 ft. tall, it grows best in lean dry sandy soils with plenty of sun and air circulation. The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract a large number of native bees and also honey bees. The oregano-scented foliage is repugnant to mammals and rarely consumed by them. Many Native American Tribes used Spotted Horsemint medicinally.

description: Erect, short-lived perennial growing in maritime forests, dry rocky or sandy woodlands, clearings and fields and roadsides.

stems: Stems 4-angled, sparingly branched, brown to reddish-purple, with soft hairs beneath.

leaves: Leaves opposite, petiolate, lance-shaped to narrowly elliptic, to 3 1/2 in. long, with toothed margins and softly hairy.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers in 2--6 whorled clusters along upper reaches of stem, each whorl subtended by conspicuous whitish to pink-purple bracts. Flowers yellow- and purple-spotted, to 1 in. long, bilaterally symmetric, tubular and split into 2 lips, the upper one longer than the stamens, strongly arched, and bearded at the tip, and the lower 3-lobed with a notched middle lobe.

fruits:

comments: Like other Monarda species, this one has a history of medicinal use and was once planted as a commercial source of thymol, which has strong antiseptic properties. Varieties var. arkansas and var. villicaulis are recognized on the basis of type of pubescence on lower leaf surface and stems, and leaf size. Consult a technical guide (see Appendix) for identification.

cultural notes:

germination code: 1, 4

native range: eastern United States