bee balm

American  

noun

1. Also called Oswego tea.  a wildflower, Monarda didyma, of the mint family, having thin, lance-shaped leaves and white, salmon, or intensely red flowers, growing along streams in temperate forests and widely cultivated in gardens.

2. a plant, Melissa officinalis, having broad, opposite, serrated leaves and tight clusters of white, lemon-scented flowers that attract bees.

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Etymology

Origin of bee balm

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

My favorite way to prepare bee balm is as pesto.

From Salon • Jan. 31, 2024

Perhaps it was the scarlet bee balm that drew hummingbirds in darting, whirring droves.

From New York Times • Dec. 14, 2022

In addition to mint, stem cuttings of coleus, salvia, bee balm and catnip, all members of the vast mint family, are satisfying for beginning propagators.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 12, 2022

Iftner and his wife, Kaye, planted an acre of native prairie grasses — milkweed, goldenrod, bee balm — to resemble what the ground looked like before it was plowed.

From Washington Post • Sep. 10, 2021

In our botanic garden was planted a patch six feet across of what is known as Oswego tea, bee balm, or red-flowered bergamot, an interesting plant with considerable beauty.

From Seed Dispersal by Beal, W. J. (William James)