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Native Plant Society of Texas

North Central Chapter

NICE Summer 2025 Plant of the Season

Lemon Beebalm: Annual Wildflower with Medicinal Uses

Monarda citriodora, is a hardy, annual wildflower found in sandy or rocky soils in prairies and meadows and is widespread in Texas. The plants are 1 – 3 feet tall and about 1 foot wide.

Flowers and Seeds: Lemon Beebalm has showy clusters of tubular, scented, two-lipped, light lavender to pink to white flowers and blooms from March to October. Stiff, square stems are lined with pairs of narrow, toothed, lance-shaped leaves that are up to 2.5 inches long. Upper stem leaves may be in whorls. Each flower stem typically has 2 to 6 flower clusters spaced along the stem. It is an annual, but Lemon Beebalm readily self-seeds to reestablish itself year after year. Seeds can be purchased from some native plant growers. Plant seeds in early spring or fall.

To learn more view Monarda citriodora: plant information sheet

About the Region

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This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason