Lemon Monard
| Lemon Monard | ||||||||||||
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Lemon Monarde ( Monarda citriodora ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Monarda citriodora | ||||||||||||
| Cerv. ex lag. |
The lemon mint ( Monarda citriodora ), also Fragrant Monarda , Indian mint , prairie bergamot , prairie Bergamot and lemon balm called, is a species of the genus Monarda ( Monarda ) into the family of Lamiaceae (Lamiaceae).
features
The lemon monard is an upright, annual to perennial herbaceous plant that reaches heights of 15 to 80 centimeters. The opposite leaves are simple and narrow. The leaf margin is serrated.
The flowers stand together in several whorls. The ends of the foliage-like, white to pink bracts are awned. The hermaphrodite flowers are zygomorphic and five-fold. The 14 to 18 millimeter long calyx ends with five 4 to 8 millimeter long calyx teeth. The crown is white or pink, there are no purple spots. The pollination is usually by bees; this species is self-fertile.
The flowering period extends from June to August.
Occurrence
The lemon monard occurs in the central and southern USA as well as in northern Mexico on limestone slopes.
Systematics
One can distinguish between three varieties:
- Monarda citriodora var. Austromontana (Epling) BLTurner (Syn .: Monarda austromontana Epling ): It occurs in Mexico and from Arizona to New Mexico.
- Monarda citriodora var. Citriodora : It occurs from Utah to Arkansas and northeastern Mexico.
- Monarda citriodora var. Parva Scora : It occurs in southeast Texas.
use
The lemon monard is rarely grown as an ornamental plant in summer flower beds.
The leaves can be eaten raw and cooked. They have a lemony taste. The essential oil can be used as a repellent against stinging insects.
In the USA it is also used as a scented plant, tea and insecticide.
literature
- Entry in Plants for a Future. (engl.)
- Eckehart J. Jäger, Friedrich Ebel, Peter Hanelt, Gerd K. Müller (eds.): Rothmaler excursion flora from Germany. Volume 5: Herbaceous ornamental and useful plants . Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg 20 | Monarda citriodora08, ISBN 978-3-8274-0918-8 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d Rafaël Govaerts (Ed.): IMonarda - World Checklist of Selected Plant Families of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Last accessed on January 10, 2018.
Web links
- Characteristics. (engl.)