monarda

[muh-nahr-duh]

noun

any aromatic, erect plant belonging to the genus Monarda, of the mint family, native to North America, including horsemint and Oswego tea.

Origin of monarda

1705–15; < New Latin, named after N. Monardés (1493–1588), Spanish botanist; see -a²

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Examples from the Web for monarda

Historical Examples of monarda

I have never found it with its only rival in color, the monarda or bee-balm, a species of mint.
Riverby
John Burroughs
Farther north, the cardinal-flower seems to fail, and the monarda takes its place, growing in similar localities.
Riverby
John Burroughs

British Dictionary definitions for monarda

monarda

noun

any mintlike North American plant of the genus Monarda: family Lamiaceae (labiates)See also horsemint (def. 2), bergamot (def. 4)

Word Origin for monarda

C19: from New Latin, named after N. Monardés (1493–1588), Spanish botanist

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012