THE COCCOLOBA CHAPTER OF THE FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
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Spotted Beebalm
​Monarda punctata
Picture
The Spotted Beebalm,  Monarda punctata, also goes by another name, dotted horsemint. Punctata is a herbaceous, aromatic perennial that is a member of the Lamiaceae (mint) family. The height of punctata ranges from 12” to 3’. Opposite leaves are arranged on erect 4 angle stems. Leaves are widely separated on the stems. Leaves are simple. Length is 4” to 8” at maturity. Leaf shape lanceolate to oblong. Margins can vary between toothed or entire. Both leaves and stems are pubescent. Crunching the leaves produces a mild fragrance.
The flower construction is delightful complex. Going up an erect stem there is a whorl of purple leaf-like bracts that subtend a cluster of small two lipped, five lobed, yellow flowers with purple dots and 2 stamens. Bracts are elliptic in shape and about ½” in length. As the plant grows, another bract, whorl and flower cluster, takes its place up the stem. This can be repeated several times. I have a 3’ high “horsemint” in my garden. At the tips of the erect stems there are as many as 6 to 8 whorls. Nutlets are the fruit. Blooming occurs summer and fall.

Distribution is in just about in every county in the State. Habitats are roadsides, meadows, and flood plains.  The common name of “dotted horsemint” is not recognized in the ”Guide to the Vascular Plants in Florida.” However, if you want to call it “horsemint” go right ahead.
​

by Jim Rodwell
The Florida Native Plant Society promotes the preservation, conservation and restoration of native plants and native plant communities of Florida.
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Copyright 2015, 2016. 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 The Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
  • Home
  • Why Natives?
    • Why Natives?
    • EXAMPLES
  • Projects
    • Estero River Oaks Preserve
  • What We Do
    • What We Do
    • Meetings
  • Volunteer Info
    • Projects
    • FGCU Service Learning Hours
    • Calendar
  • Education and Resources
    • Native Plant Resources
    • Native Plants for your area
    • FLEPPC Invasive Exotic List
    • Native Host Plants for Butterflies
    • Native Palms
    • Native Wildflowers for Birds
    • Native Plants for Birds
    • Plant Communities of South Florida's Gulf Coast Barrier Islands
    • Documents
  • Newsletter
  • Our Founder