Oswego Tea; Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) is one 
of our most brilliantly colored wild flowers. It grows 
along the shady borders of woodland streams or pool; 
where its vivid coloring is in strong contrast with the 
deep greens of the surrounding vegetation. The stem is 
hairy and rather rough; it attains heights of two feet 
or more. The short-stemmed, broad-lance-shaped leaves 
are light green, sharply toothed and rather thin. 
The flowers grow in rounded terminal heads, com¬ 
posed of numerous, long tubular, scarlet florets. The 
upper lip is long, arched, pointed and often notched at 
the tip; the lower lip is three-parted, the middle one 
being longer than the side ones. 
Nectar, seated at the base of the long tube, can 
only be reached by long-tongued insects. Best adapted 
to it are bumblebees and certain of the butterflies. The 
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, too, attracted to this, his 
favorite color, often partakes of the sweets. From July 
until September this beautiful species blooms in suitable 
localities from Quebec to Manitoba and southwards to 
Ga. and Mo. 
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