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Can anyone confirm if this is a cultivar?

10 months ago

I'm far from an expert, but I bought what was advertised as the straight species (no cultivar name, described in latin and english as you'd expect for the straight species). However after sharing half with a friend, her friend (who sells native plants) said it was the cultivar of Monarda Didyma. Other plant groups seemed to think it wasn't. Anyone have anymore input on this?

Please ignore the Lilies, it is a shared garden.

Thank you!

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Comments (4)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
10 months ago
Looks like the species to me. What makes you think it isn't? Monarda didyma (Scarlet beebalm) | NPIN (wildflower.org)
L
Original Author
10 months ago
@Floral_uk

She said it is taller, has glossier leaves and bigger flowers. I'm not so sure, but it would be really irritating if it wasn't what I was sold and my native plant group doesn't accept seeds from cultivars, so I'm trying to get to the truth of the matter.

I appreciate your input!
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Jay 6a Chicago
10 months ago
There are a few different cultivars of Monarda didyma, Jacob Cline, Pardon my Cerise and Raspberry Wine. The differences between them would be difficult to discern from your photo. Jacob Cline is the straight species, but it has better mildew resistance. It was discovered in the wild. I'm not sure about the history and origin of the other cultivars. I'm in a native plant group where nativars are frequently dicussed. The M. dudyma cultivars claim to have more compact growth, or better disease resistance, traits that can't be recognized from a photo. Your plant looks like the straight species to me. The leaves don't appear glossy at all, and the height looks normal for the straight species. Cultivars can have the same value to wildlife as the straight species do. There is some variabilty in this species and there is a narrow leaved form of didyma and a wide leaved form, but there are no taxonomic varieties yet to seperate them. This difference in leaf form needs further study. I wouldn't worry about it. You could question the seller you bought it from, about it's history, or you can have your friend ask their friend to give a more detailed expanation about what they feel are the differences between your didyma and the straight species didyma. Since they are blooming now, you might want to compare your plant with others. Unless you notice a conspicuous difference, you should accept it as the straight species. The straight species is tall, and I doubt any cultivars would be for taller plants, only shorter, more compact plants.
Jay 6a Chicago
10 months ago
L, what kind of native plant group are you in? Internet or local?

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