The Beauty and Diversity of Beebalms
Beebalms bring beauty and diversity to our green spaces!
Beebalms are a group of plants in the mint family (Lamiaceae) that belong to genus Monarda. This genus is native to North America and includes several species. In Maryland, several species can be found, one of which (M. clinopodia, the basil beebalm) is currently listed as requiring conservation actions (listed as Vulnerable). The other three species (M. didyma, M. fistulosa, M. punctata) are relatively common and are easy to grow in our green spaces. All species reach about 2-3 feet in height and are great additions to planting areas because of their beauty and function as biodiversity magnets. The genus Monarda has been recognized as supporting at least three rare and specialist bee species in the Eastern USA, attracts many natural enemies of pests, and later in the season supports birds and provides overwintering spaces for arthropods.
Scarlet beebalm (M. didyma)
This is a perennial species with dark red flowers that blooms during the summer. As for all beebalms, the flower heads are formed by many elongated flowers, that harbor abundant nectar. The plant is incredibly attractive to pollinators, acting as a magnet to bees of all sizes, butterflies, and hummingbirds. In addition to supporting pollinators and other arthropods, this species (along with M. fistulosa) has medicinal properties, which have been identified and long used by Native Americans. The very name of beebalm is related to these medicinal uses, since the plant can be used to produce poultices that help with skin affections, including bee stings. Preparations of the plant have also traditionally been used to help with digestive and respiratory issues.
Wild bergamot (M. fistulosa)
With a floral structure similar to the scarlet beebalm, this perennial species has pink-colored flower heads. The flowers are also favorites of pollinators, and the whole plant supports both adult and larval stages of many pollinators. While the flowers are regularly visited by bees, butterflies, moths, wasps and hummingbirds, other parts of the plant host several caterpillars, further supporting moth populations. From a human-use perspective, the plant has also been traditionally used by Native Americans. Its tissues contain a lot of essential oils, that have a flavor much stronger than that of its cousin the scarlet beebalm. The plant has been used to treat respiratory, digestive, and skin affections, and many of these plant uses were actually taught to European settlers by Native Americans across the continent.
Spotted beebalm (M. punctata)
The flowers of this species are delicate and stunning in their own unique way. Each of the individual flowers, forming the floral head, can display several colors including pink, white, yellow, as well as spotted sections. The difference in colors of the individual flowers gives the impression that the floral head has different “levels”. As for its other cousins, spotted beebalms are also very popular among insects: they attract large numbers of pollinators and in particular predatory wasps, which can assist in improving pest control in our green spaces. Other parts of the plant also support the development of caterpillars of several moth species. The plant has a long tradition of medicinal uses in North America, likely due to its high essential oil content. Parts of the plant, both individually and in combination with other plant species, were and still are used to treat colds, improve digestion, and reduce fever.
From College Park Bee City Committee
Scarlet beebalms display red flower heads that offer abundant nectar to a large variety of vertebrate and invertebrate pollinators. Photo: A. Espíndola.
Wild bergamots grow about three feet tall and can increase the biodiversity of our green spaces. Photo: A. Espíndola.
The spotted beebalms display several floral heads per stem and have multicolored flowers that attract various pollinators and pest-control agents. Photo: F. Flohr Reynolds (CC).