The actual flower of this mint is hidden under the pale lavender colored leaves. The tiny flower is yellow with purple spots. These flowers and leaves make-up the head-like spikes. This is also another nectar favorite of the Karner Blue Butterfly.

The leaves of Dotted horsemint are hairy and have a faintly minty smell when crushed. According to the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, the genus name "Monarda" was given to this plant by Linneaus and named after the 16th century botanist and physician Nicholas Bautista Monardes.

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