Species › Plants › Spotted Beebalm

Spotted Beebalm

Monarda punctata

UncommonPlant
Illustration of Spotted Beebalm (Monarda punctata)

Spotted Beebalm is one of the most unusual and striking native wildflowers, with whorled tiers of spotted yellow tubular flowers surrounded by showy pink to lavender bracts that make the whole plant look like a floral arrangement. Growing 1–3 feet tall in dry sandy and rocky soils, it is highly drought-tolerant. Spotted Beebalm is a strong medicinal plant — its essential oils have been studied for antimicrobial properties. It attracts extraordinary diversity of native bees.

Habitat
Found on dry sandy soils, rocky prairies, roadsides, and open pine woodlands in eastern North America.
Diet
Attracts one of the highest diversities of native bees of any native wildflower; also supports specialist Monarda bees.
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Spotted Beebalm

The best time to see a Spotted Beebalm is May–August, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 20,811 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Spotted Beebalm? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Spotted Beebalm sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spotted a Spotted Beebalm?

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.

Get Huck - free
5,300+species
63national parks
50states

More plants

Spotted Coralroot
Spotted Coralroot
Corallorhiza maculata
Spotted Jewelweed
Spotted Jewelweed
Impatiens capensis
Spotted Joe Pye Weed
Spotted Joe Pye Weed
Eutrochium maculatum
Spotted Knapweed
Spotted Knapweed
Centaurea stoebe
Spotted Phlox
Spotted Phlox
Phlox maculata
Spotted St. John's-wort
Spotted St. John's-wort
Hypericum punctatum
Spotted Water Hemlock
Spotted Water Hemlock
Cicuta maculata
Spotted Wintergreen
Spotted Wintergreen
Chimaphila maculata