Monarda citriodora is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, that is native to the southern United States[2] and northern Mexico.

[6] The plant dies with the first frost, and although lemon beebalm is an annual, its seeds can germinate and grow the following year.

[5] This widespread plant grows in prairies, roadsides and other sunny habitats from Arizona to Florida, and from Nebraska to Michoacán.

[6] It prefers soils with a high percentage of clay, such as the vertisols and mollisols typical of tallgrass prairies, where it sometimes forms impressive blankets of summer flowers.

[6] Teas made from the leaves is used by herbalists to supposedly treat colds, coughs, fevers, and respiratory problems.