Practical
Plants

Monarda pectinata

Plains Lemon Monarda

an annual or perennial member of the Monarda genus in the family Labiatae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Monarda
Life cycle
annual, perennial
Height
1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - cooked. A strong aromatic flavour, they are used as a flavouring in cooked foods and salads[7][2].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is analgesic, antiseptic and stomachic[5]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of coughs, colds, fevers and stomach complaints[5]. The plant has been rubbed on the head to bring relief from headache[5]. An infusion of the flowers has been used as a wash on insect bites and stings[5].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Stings
Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Pot-pourri

Environment

Range
N. America - Nebraska, Colorado and south to Texas.
Habitat
Dry soils[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow mid to late spring in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place within 10 - 40 days at 20°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. The seed can also be sown in situ in late summer in areas where the winters are not too severe and will produce larger plants. Cuttings of soft basal shoots in spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in ordinary garden soil so long as it is not too dry[1][4], though it prefers a sandy rather acidic soil in full sun[4]. There is some confusion over the correct name for this species, some reports say that it is no more than a synonym for M. citriodora[3]. There is also some doubt over whether it is an annual or a perennial. A good bee plant[4]. Subject to mildew in dry summers[4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

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  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  7. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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