MONARDA FISTULOSA. 
HOLLOW-STALKED MONARDA. 
Class. Order. 
DIANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
LABIAT/F.. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Introduced 
N. America. 
3 feet. 
June to Aug. 
Perennial. 
in 1656. 
No. 571. 
Monarda is a name adopted after that of a Spa- 
nish physician. Fistulosus is from the Latin, sig- 
nifying hollow, and is used in allusion to its hollow 
flower stems. • 
Our present species of Monarda is one amongst 
the original plants described by Linneus, and as a 
variety in the flower border is not devoid of interest. 
This, like all the plants of the order Labiatse, bears 
strong indications of the presence of an aromatic 
volatile oil, which gives it an agreeable perfume. 
This quality is however still more palpable in ma- 
ny other genera of Labiatae, as Thyme, Lavender, 
Mint, Marjoram, Savory, Rosemary, Balm of Gile- 
ad, and others. Its volatile oil is contained in lit- 
tle reservoirs in the leaves, which it is said by some 
physiologists, are little bags with orifices. Some 
of these plants abound in camphor, and it is proba- 
ble, that this substance is possessed, more or less by 
the whole order. 
In cultivation the Monarda fistulosa requires but 
little attention, it should, however, be observed that 
to produce it in luxuriant growth, it should be di- 
vided at the least every second year. 
Hort. Kew. 2, v. 1, 50. 
