Lemon beebalm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lemon beebalm |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Monarda
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| Species: |
citriodora
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Monarda citriodora, also known as lemon beebalm or lemon mint, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the mint family, called Lamiaceae. This plant grows naturally in many parts of the United States and Mexico.
When you crush its leaves, they smell like fresh lemons! Sometimes, the smell can also remind people of oregano, especially later in the year. Its bright purple flowers are very popular with butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
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About Lemon Beebalm
Lemon beebalm is a tough plant that doesn't need a lot of water. It likes dry soil and plenty of sunshine. Several stems grow from the bottom of the plant. Each stem has pairs of long, narrow leaves.
This plant grows quickly in the spring. It can reach up to 3 feet (about 1 meter) tall. Its flowers are white, purple, and pink. They bloom from May to July in the northern parts of the world. If the plant gets enough water, it can keep blooming even longer.
Lemon beebalm is an annual plant. This means it lives for only one growing season. It dies when the first frost arrives. However, its seeds can fall to the ground. These seeds can then sprout and grow into new plants the next year.
Where Lemon Beebalm Grows
This plant is found in many places. You can see it in prairies, along roadsides, and in other sunny spots. Its range stretches from Arizona to Florida and from Nebraska to Michoacán in Mexico.
Lemon beebalm prefers certain types of soil. It likes soils that have a lot of clay. These soils are common in tallgrass prairies. Sometimes, lemon beebalm grows so much that it covers large areas with its summer flowers.
Types of Lemon Beebalm
There are a few different types, or varieties, of Monarda citriodora:
- Monarda citriodora var. austromontana - This type grows in Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Mexico like Chihuahua and Sonora.
- Monarda citriodora var. citriodora - You can find this type in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Utah, Texas, and Tamaulipas.
- Monarda citriodora var. parva - This variety is found in southern Texas.
How People Use Lemon Beebalm
Lemon beebalm has several interesting uses. People have used it for food, medicine, and even to keep insects away.
Lemon Beebalm in the Kitchen
Some people enjoy adding lemon beebalm to their salads. It can also be used to make tasty teas. Sometimes, it's even added to wines and special drinks called liqueurs.
This plant can give a nice flavor to certain foods. It goes well with seafood like crab and with chicken dishes. Lemon beebalm is also an ingredient in many dessert recipes. It can flavor cakes, cheesecakes, sauces, and pies.
It's important to know that many recipes called "lemon mint" actually use spearmint. They also use juice or other parts of a real lemon fruit. But lemon beebalm is still used in some herbal teas.
Traditional Medicine Uses
Teas made from the leaves of lemon beebalm have been used for a long time. People used them to help with colds, coughs, and fevers. They also used it for problems with breathing.
Keeping Insects Away
Lemon beebalm contains a special oil called citronellol. This oil is known to keep insects away. Because of this, it has been used to deter fleas and tiny creatures called mites.
See also
In Spanish: Monarda citriodora para niños
