(Plains Beebalm)
Monarda pectinata, Picket Wire Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero Co. 7780
Monarda pectinata, Picket Wire Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero Co. 7818
Monarda pectinata, Picket Wire Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero Co. 7980
Monarda pectinata, Picket Wire Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero Co. 7798
| Scientific Name | Monarda pectinata | USDA PLANTS Symbol | MOPE |
| Common Name | Plains Beebalm, Pony Beebalm, Horsemint | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 32285 |
| Family | Lamiaceae (Mint) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Plains and foothills (3500 to 8500 ft.); dry sandy, rocky soils; open areas in grasslands, scrub, washes, woodlands and roadsides. Plant: Erect annual 8 to 20 inches tall, hairy stems branching from base. Leaves: Opposite, lanceolate to ovate, 3/4 to 2 inches long and 1/4 to 1/2-inch wide on short petioles (less than 1/5-inch long), margins are serrate to nearly entire. Inflorescence: Interrupted spikes (verticils) with 2 to 5 dense whorls of white (usually) or pale-pink to light-purple flowers; corollas are 1/2 to 7/8-inch long each with two lips, an arching upper lip and a protruding lower lip with 3 lobes, often with purple spots; calyx tube less than 1/3-inch long with teeth having hairy margins and acuminate tips; below each whorl below are leaf-like bracts, the outer ones are ovate to elliptic, 1/3 to 5/8-inch long with acuminate tips and densely-ciliate margins. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Jepson eFlora and Wildflowers of New Mexico. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2025
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains
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