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Lamiaceae Taxonomy Browser
Monarda citriodora Cerv. ex Lag.
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Lemon Bee Balm is not native to Illinois; it is either adventive from the Great Plains or western states, where it is native, or it is an escape from cultivation. As a naturalized plant, Lemon Bee Balm is rare in Illinois, where it has been found only in Cook County (within the NE section of the state). Habitat information is unavailable for Illinois, but in its native range this wildflower is found primarily in dry prairies. It is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/lemon_bb.html |
United States
Origin: Unknown/Undetermined
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Unknown/Undetermined
Confidence: Confident
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Monarda+citriodora |
Chile Central
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Pablo Gutierrez, IABIN |
Source | No source database. |
Lemon Bee Balm is not native to Illinois; it is either adventive from the Great Plains or western states, where it is native, or it is an escape from cultivation. As a naturalized plant, Lemon Bee Balm is rare in Illinois, where it has been found only in Cook County (within the NE section of the state). Habitat information is unavailable for Illinois, but in its native range this wildflower is found primarily in dry prairies. It is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/lemon_bb.html |
The nectar of the flowers can be expected to attract such visitors as the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, bumblebees, hummingbird clear-wing moths (Hemaris spp.), and butterflies. There is also some evidence that Checkered beetles (Cleridae) occasionally visit the flowers of Lemon Bee Balm (Mawdsley, 2002). Some insects feed on the foliage and flowers of Monarda spp. (Bee Balms) destructively. This includes caterpillars of such moths as the Gray Marvel (Anterastria teratophora; syn. Agriopodes teratophora), two Pyralid moths (Pyrausta orphisalis and Pyrausta signatalis), and the Hermit Sphinx (Sphinx eremitus). Other insect feeders include a tortoise beetle (Physonota unipunctata), a leaf-footed bug (Euthochtha galeator), a scentless plant bug (Arhyssus nigristernum), and an aphid (Hyalomyzus monardae). Mammalian herbivores dislike the fragrant foliage and avoid consumption of Lemon Bee Balm.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/lemon_bb.html |
Monarda citriodora (Lemon Bee Balm) introduced
(this plant is adventive from the Great Plains; insect activity is unspecified; information is limited; observations are from Mawdsley)
Beetles
Cleridae: Phyllobaenus pubescens (Mwd), Trichodes bibalteatus (Mwd)
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2015 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/flower_insects//plants/lm_beebalm.htm |
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 4
Species With Barcodes: 1
United States
Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Monarda+citriodora |
Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Monarda+citriodora |
Lemon Bee Balm will adapt to full sun, mesic to dry conditions, and many kinds of soil, including clay-loam. In rich soil with abundant moisture, this wildflower may become excessively tall and topple over.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/lemon_bb.html |