Monarda punctata, commonly called spotted bee balm or horsemint, is an aromatic, upright native perennial (sometimes short-lived) known for its layered, showy bracts and strong wildlife value. It typically grows 1½ to 3 feet tall and spreads 1 to 2 feet wide, forming a loose, open clump with multiple branching stems. The square stems carry narrow, lance-shaped leaves about 2 to 4 inches long and ½ to 1 inch wide, lightly toothed and strongly fragrant when crushed. In summer, the plant produces distinctive tiered flower clusters spaced along the upper stems, each tier subtended by colorful bracts that can measure 1 to 2 inches long, often tinted pink, lavender, or creamy white. The actual tubular flowers are small, about ¾ to 1 inch long, pale yellow to cream with purple or maroon spotting, and packed in dense whorls roughly 1 to 1½ inches across. These stacked clusters can extend 6 to 12 inches along the stem tip, creating a striking, architectural look. The root system is fibrous with a slight tendency to self-seed, allowing patches to widen gradually by several inches per year in favorable, well-drained soils. Drought tolerant once established, it thrives in full sun and lean soils, and its airy structure and moderate footprint make it ideal for prairies, pollinator gardens, and dry borders where vertical texture is needed without heavy spread.