Monarda fistulosa L.

Pleasantly aromatic rhizomatous perennial 5–12 dm, often branched; stems usually hairy at least above; lvs deltoid-lanceolate to lanceolate or rarely ovate, acuminate, ± serrate, rounded or truncate to broadly acute at base, thinly hairy or glabrous to conspicuously hairy above or canescent beneath, the larger 6–10 cm on petioles 1–1.5 cm; heads 1–3.5 cm wide (excluding the cors); bracteal lvs lanceolate or ovate; cal 7–10 mm, puberulent, its throat densely hirsute internally with erect white hairs a third to half as long as the cal-lobes, these subulate, 1–2 mm; cor bright (but rather pale) lavender, 2–3.5 cm, the somewhat arcuate upper lip densely villous at the tip; 2n=32, 34, 36. Upland woods, thickets, and prairies. Que. to Man. and B.C., s. to Ga., La., and Ariz. June–Sept. (M. mollis, the common form with the hairs of the stem decurved) Most of our plants are var. fistulosa, as principally described above. The western var. menthaefolia (Graham) Fernald, a shorter, less branched plant, often with a single head, the longest petioles seldom over 1 cm, enters our range in w. Minn. (M. menthaefolia)

It is a temperate plant. It can tolerate drier conditions. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

The plant is used as a potherb. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. It can be cooked with other foods as a seasoning. Fresh or dried leaves are used for tea.

It can be grown from seed, cuttings of division.