Scientific Family
Lamiaceae
Other common names
plains beebalm
white horse mint
miners lettuce
spotted beebalm
pagoda plant
wild bergamot
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Similar species
Monarda citriodora, M. punctata
Height
6 to 16 inches
Riparian
No
Square stems branched from base and above; leaves narrow; flower clusters at intervals with whorl of leaves below; lower lip of flower is 3-lobed; bracts green, densely hairy, spreading or ascending with pectinate margins (like teeth of a comb).
Annual; stems hairy, branch several times from the base and also above; flowers white to light pink, 2-lipped, in interrupted spikes of 3 to 6 dense rounded flower clusters; bracts spreading, ascending, or erect, usually green, 3 prominent veins.
Habitat
Ponderosa woodlands, pinyon-juniper-oak, grasslands, plains, dry sandy creekbeds and canyons, rocky soils, roadsides.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
5000
High elevation
8500
Flower Characteristics
Interrupted spikes of 3 to 6 dense, round clusters; bracts bristle-tipped, margins with stiff bristles, 1/4 inch long; corolla white, often tinged light pink, 1/2 inch long; 3-lobed, purple-spotted lower lip, curved upper lip, both pointed downward.
Flower color
White to light pink
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Square stems, mostly branched from base; leaves oblong to narrow, dark green, 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches long, smooth to slightly hairy on both sides, punctate (marked with spots); leaf margins nearly smooth to toothed, often hairy.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Dark green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Round nutlets, smooth to somewhat reticulate (net-like veining).
Fruit type
Nutlet