Spotted Beebalm
Monarda punctata
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, United States.
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Monarda
- Species:
- Monarda punctata
- USDA Symbol:
- MOPU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, pink, purple, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble (Bombus pensylvanicus), Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble (Bombus affinis), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Two-spotted Longhorn (Melissodes bimaculatus), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Xylocopa micans Moths:common spragueia (Spragueia leo), Pyrausta laticlavia Butterflies:Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Peck's skipper (Polites peckius), Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from basal crown after fire; common in fire-maintained sandy prairies and coastal plain communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Thrives in open, sunny areas with poor soil.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 10–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Notes: Seeds benefit from cold stratification for improved germination rates.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).