Herb
Monarda punctata
C tier
Monarda punctata is spotted bee balm—yellow flowers dotted purple, pinkish bracts, strong thyme-oregano leaf chemistry used more in native medicine and pollinator gardens than everyday cooking. Culinary use is cautious and sparingly herbal. Better as a landscape edible than a bulk tea crop; flavour can be medicinal-strong.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
ExperimentalPollinator Garden EdibleSparing Tea
Traits
Limited CulinaryMedicinal EdgeNative MedicinalSpottedSpotted FlowerStrongStrong Herbal
History
US
Indigenous use of spotted bee balm included medicinal applications.
Botany named Monarda punctata among spotted monardas.
Native plantings popularised M. punctata for bees more than kitchens.
Experimental cooks tried spotted bee balm leaf in tiny amounts.