beebalm

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Oswego-tea
• purple beebalm
• wild bergamot
• wild horsemint
• beebalm
• horse-mint
• wild bergamot beebalm

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, falling into the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Monarda.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across both Europe and North America. In Middle Europe, it can be found growing within the borders of Germany. Its presence extends significantly into Western Canada, where it inhabits the province of British Columbia. The species is also widely distributed across the Canadian prairies, specifically in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Finally, its range reaches into the province of Manitoba, completing its broad northern reach.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Monarda fistulosa is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at the soil surface, typically protected by leaf litter or a thin layer of organic matter during unfavorable conditions. This specific life form, categorized both as a hemicryptophyte in terms of its growth habit and structural classification, enables the species to re-emerge vigorously from its crown each spring to support its continuous developmental stages.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Monarda fistulosa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. It functions as a self-supporting plant, lacking any climbing or vine-like tendencies, and it is categorized as an independent organism rather than a parasite. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic lifestyles. The plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 1.205 m, maintaining a robust, upright structure throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1.205 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Monarda fistulosa is characterized by a metabolic framework primarily driven by the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells. This C3 mechanism dictates the plant's water-use efficiency and gas exchange patterns, as it relies on maintaining a balance between CO2 uptake and transpiration to avoid photorespiration. The plant's physiological processes are further supported by a complex secondary metabolism, specifically the biosynthesis of various monoterpenoids and phenolic compounds, which serve as chemical defenses and metabolic byproducts. These physiological activities are closely integrated with its vascular system, which facilitates the transport of water and nutrients to support its perennial growth habit and the energetic demands of its flowering cycles.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Monarda fistulosa is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle and the production of minute seeds. The flowering period typically begins in June and extends through August, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. During this reproductive phase, the plant produces seeds with a highly specific mass profile; the mean seed mass is approximately 0.000375375 g, with individual seeds ranging from a minimum of 0.0003 g (3e-04 g) to a maximum of 0.00052 g.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Seed mass max:

0.00052 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000375375 g

Seed mass min:

3e-04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Monarda fistulosa has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Flower

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of medicinal food

Chemicals

Monarda fistulosa has 59 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CARVACROL, P-CYMENE, THYMOL, Thymoquinone, rosmarinic acid.

CARVACROL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
4. Current molecular pharmacology
5. Biofouling

P-CYMENE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

THYMOL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Thymoquinone

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

rosmarinic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke

1-OCTEN-3-OL

1. Dr. Duke

3-OCTANOL

1. Dr. Duke

3-Octanone

1. Dr. Duke

3-Octyl acetate

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Monarda fistulosa has 253 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic, ABeta-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, AChE-Inhibitor.

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

ABeta-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Adenylate-Cyclase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Monarda fistulosa has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, yeasts.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations