Monarda punctata, Dotted Horsemint

Dotted Horsemint Spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata) (also known as Dotted horsemint) is a robust, aromatic wildflower that occurs naturally in meadows, coastal dunes, roadsides and dry disturbed areas. It typically blooms late spring through fall, attracting a huge variety of pollinating insects, including bees, wasps and butterflies. In winter, it dies back to the ground (in South Florida, to a basal rosette). Its flowers are inconspicuous, hairy and whitish-yellow with purplish spots (punctate). Often mistaken for petals are its showy, leaflike bracts that subtend its tiny flowers. Bracts vary in color from pink to lavender or purple and often have yellowish-green tips and undersides. Flowers are born in elongated spikes and arranged in whorls. Leaves are petiolate and pubescent with toothed margins. They are oppositely arranged. Stems are pubescent, erect and square, like most members of the mint family. Seeds are born in nutlets at the base of each flower. Spotted beebalm is high