Spotted Beebalm

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score

2

Native Status

❌ Outaouais ❌ Ottawa ❌ QC ✅ ON

Closest Direction

SW

CEC Eco-Regions

8 – Eastern Temperate Forests, 8.1 – Mixed Wood Plains, 8.1.2 – Lake Erie Lowland

Rarity Notes

Critically imperiled in Ontario (S1) with a national rank of N1 in Canada. Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. Quebec populations are not formally ranked (SNR) and may represent disjunct or ephemeral occurrences on sandy substrates. The global rank is G5, indicating the species is secure across its full North American range.

S22+S26+S54

Rarity Ranks

QC SNR – Not Ranked, ON S1 – Critically Imperiled

Migration

Stable

Ecological Context

A drought-adapted forb of dry sandy prairies, savannas, dunes, and open disturbed ground [S7+S4]. In Ontario, restricted to sandy open habitats within the Lake Erie Lowland ecoregion (S1 ranked), typically on well-drained sandy or gravelly substrates. Quebec specimens are from isolated sandy sites in the Outaouais (North Onslow, Bristol Ridge) and sandy dunes near Cazaville in the Monteregie [S54+S48]. Strongly associated with disturbance-dependent, open sandy communities.

S7+S4+S54+S48

Permaculture & Companion Planting

Roles

Fortress/Barrier, Insectary Plant, Pollinator Attractor

S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)] | Insectary Plant: S64 NPPBI 'beneficial insects' flag] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [HIGH]: S64 Xerces listed (source-classified)]

Notes

An excellent insectary plant for pollinator gardens and prairie restorations. Highly attractive to beneficial wasps and bees, making it a valuable companion near crops requiring pollination. Tolerates dry sandy soils where many garden plants struggle. All Monarda species are susceptible to powdery mildew, so plant with good air circulation.

S64+S4

Medicinal Properties

ℹ

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant for medicinal purposes. The information provided is compiled from secondary sources for educational purposes only.

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Category

Antiseptic, Analgesic, Febrifuge, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Stimulant, Stomachic

S29+S28 PFAF medicinal properties + Moerman categories

Notes

Rich source of essential oil containing thymol (antiseptic) and carvacrol [S31+S29]. Extensively used by Indigenous peoples: Delaware used infusions for fever and dermatological aid; Meskwaki used leaf compounds for headaches, stomach cramps, and colds; Mohegan used leaf infusion for fevers; Ojibwa used decoctions for gastrointestinal complaints. PFAF rates medicinal value 3/5. Externally applied as a rubefacient poultice for arthritic joints. Historically cultivated commercially for thymol production.

S28+S29+S31

Edibility & Foraging

ℹ

Never ingest a plant unless you have 100% certainty of its identity and have consulted multiple reputable sources. The information provided in the Localeaf Plant Database is compiled from secondary sources for educational and historical purposes only.

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❌ Not Edible   

Foraging Notes

PFAF rates edibility 1/5. Leaves can be used raw or cooked as a flavouring in salads and cooked foods, or steeped as an aromatic tea. Moerman records no food-category uses among Indigenous peoples; all 18 documented uses are medicinal or ceremonial.

S29+S28

Toxicity

☠️ High Toxicity

Not listed in Cornell poisonous plants database. PFAF lists no known hazards. However, the essential oil contains thymol which, while medicinally useful as an antiseptic, can be toxic in large quantities — historically used as a hookworm remedy but potentially fatal at therapeutic doses.

S38+S29

Seed Source

• Localeaf