Monarda citriodora (Lemon Bee Balm) is a short-lived perennial, often grown as an annual or biennial, boasting showy clusters of scented, two-lipped, tubular, lavender to pink flowers resting upon white or lavender bracts.
Monarda citriodora is a member of the mint family. Some other common names for lemon bee balm plants are purple horsemint, lemon mint, plains horsemint, and horsemint.
While both bee balm and lemon balm are in the mint family, the plants are rather different. Bee balm is larger, often reaching 4 feet tall with 3-inch crimson flowers. Lemon balm is smaller, most often reaching 2-3 feet in height and produces small white flowers less than 1 inch in size.
The foliage of Monarda didyma has a minty sage and oregano blended flavor. Not sweet mint like peppermint, but more pungent making it a nice compliment to roasted meats and wild game.. . . . .364011234386!]0000000000000009783314146163!]
