Horse mint

Horse mint
	Horse mint ( Monarda punctata )
Systematics
	Euasterids I
Order :	Mint family (Lamiales)
Family :	Mint family (Lamiaceae)
Subfamily :	Nepetoideae
Genre :	Monarda
Type :	Horse mint
Scientific name
	Monarda punctata
	L.

The horse mint ( Monarda punctata called), also called "Dotted Monarda" or "Dotted bergamot", is one of North America native plant species in the genus Monarda in the subfamily of Nepetoideae within the family of the mint (Lamiaceae).

description

Illustration of horse mint ( Monarda punctata )

The horse mint grows to around 30 to 60 cm (rarely up to 90 cm). It is a fast-growing perennial perennial. The opposite leaves are lanceolate and entire or only very finely serrated. The leaves are about 7 cm long and have an aromatic scent.

Flowering time is July to September, partly until October. The flowers develop on a terminal panicle ; they smell and are pink to white.

The number of chromosomes is 2n = 22 or 24.

Distribution and location

Horse mint is native to eastern North America ; their distribution area extends roughly over the eastern half of the USA and extends southwest into Mexico .

The plant prefers full sun on well-drained to sandy soils.

Systematics

Eight varieties can be distinguished:

Monarda punctata var. Arkansana (EMMcClint & Epling.) Shinners : It occurs from Texas to Georgia.
Monarda punctata var. Correllii B.L. Turner : It occurs in Texas and in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas .
Monarda punctata var. Coryi (EMMcClint. & Epling) Shinners : It occurs in Texas.
Monarda punctata var. Intermedia (EMMcClint. & Epling) Waterf. : It occurs in Texas.
Monarda punctata var. Lasiodonta A.Gray : It occurs in Texas.
Monarda punctata var. Occidentalis (Epling) EJPalmer & Steyerm. : It occurs from Kansas to northwest Texas.
Monarda punctata var. Punctata : It occurs from the eastern United States to Texas.
Monarda punctata var. Villicaulis (Pennell) Shinners : It occurs in the north-central and in the eastern United States.

use

Horse mint is a popular ornamental plant for gardens. The leaves are used to make tea.

Individual evidence

^ Monarda punctata at Tropicos.org. In: IPCN Chromosome Reports . Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis
↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Rafaël Govaerts (Ed.): Monarda - World Checklist of Selected Plant Families of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Last accessed on January 10, 2018.

Web links

Commons : Horse Mint - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Entry at GRIN Taxonomy for Plants (Engl.)
Entry at USDA (Engl.)
Brief description at rareplants.de
Brief description at the University of Florida (English; PDF file; 222 kB)
Short description the Missouri Botanical Garden (Engl.)

[IPCN-1] Monarda punctata at Tropicos.org. In: IPCN Chromosome Reports . Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis

[WCSP-2] ↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Rafaël Govaerts (Ed.): Monarda - World Checklist of Selected Plant Families of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Last accessed on January 10, 2018.