LucasLand

The Wildflowers

Oswego Tea or Bee Balm

Monarda didyma

From Nearctica

Identification: Flowers bright red, large, tubular, and arched. Lower petal lobe broad, biblike with a thin, rectangular appendage at its apex. Upper petal lobe arched, narrow, containing the protruding stamens. Flowers in a rounded, apical cluster, with a whorl of reddish bracts at the base. Stem square. Leaves in opposite pairs, broad at the base, tapering toward the apex.. Outer margin weakly toothed. Plant 2 to 3 feet in height.

Distribution: Minnesota in the west to New England in the east, southward to Georgia and Missouri.

Habitat: Bee Balm is found in wet habitats, typically along stream and river banks, and lake shores.

Flowering period: July to September.

Dried, crushed leaves make a flavorful, though flatulence causing tea.