Species page
Lemon Beebalm
Monarda citriodora var. citriodora var. var. citriodora
There are about a dozen species of horsemint (also called beebalm) in Texas, most parts of the state having at least two common species (except for the low deserts of the Trans-Pecos). One of those common species is almost invariably this one, which is a rather weedy species found almost statewide. Members of the mint family, horsemints all have strongly aromatic foliage, the fragrances varying between the species. The lemon beebalm, as the name suggests, has a strong lemony fragrance. It contains the chemical compound citronellol, used in “natural” insect repellants.