Flower ID: IMG_3074.JPG-08-26-2019 Flower name (scientific): Monarda punctata Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) mo-NAR-da punk-TAH-tah Flower name (common): Spotted Horsemint Family name (common): Mint Family name (scientific): Lamiaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Named in honor of the Spanish physician and botanist Nicolás Bautista Monardes (1493 – 1588). Specific epithet: From the Latin for a spotted surface. Common name origin: Spotted comes from the distinctive purple to maroon spots on the petals. The origin of horsemint is unclear. Perhaps horse is being used in the sense of great, hence "great mint". The name horsemint is applied to some wild mints and to some aromatic labiates. Flower description: Size: 0.5 to 1.0 inches (1.3 to 2.5 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: yellow Other: flower arrangement, Whorl Plant description: Size: 6 to 36 inches (15 to 91 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is opposite and/or whorl, type is simple Size: Leaves up to 9 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): July to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Annual/Perennial Habitat: Sandy prairies, disturbed sandy areas, fields, roadsides, sun, dry. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): No close lookalikes. Ethnobotany: The Meskwaki used this plant as an ingredient in several medicines to treat headaches, as a reviver, for stomach cramps, and head colds (Smith, pp. 225-226, 1928). Latitude: 44.795752 Longitude: -91.513642 Altitude: 273.50 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Langlade, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lincoln, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washburn, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI) In Canada: (ON, QC) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Monarda punctata var. punctata (The other infraspecifics are Monarda punctata var. arkansana (E. M. McClintock & Epling) Shinners, Monarda punctata var. correllii B. L. Turner, Monarda punctata var. coryi (E. M. McClintock & Epling) Shinners, Monarda punctata var. intermedia (E. M. McClintock & Epling) Waterfall, Monarda punctata var. lasiodonta A. Gray, Monarda punctata var. occidentalis (Epling) E. J. Palmer & Steyerm., Monarda punctata var. villicaulis (Pennell) Shinners. All these varieties occur in the US.