Bee Balm

Common name: Bee Balm (Oswego Tea)

Scientific name: Monarda didyma

Dimensions:
  Flower: About 1¼-1¾" (3.5-4.5 cm) long
  Plant height: 2-5' (60-150 cm)

Blooming period: June-August

Habitat: Wet places, thickets, stream banks

Description: Scarlet or crimson tubular flowers clustered in terminal heads at the end of a square stem. Corolla is 2-lipped, 5-lobed; 2 projecting stamens; 2-parted stigma. Bracts beneath the cluster are also red or reddish brown. Leaves are 3-6" (7.5-15 cm) long, opposite, oval or triangular, narrowly pointed, dark green, coarsely toothed. Mint family. (July 5)