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Tucked in the dark corners of the damp coves, you will find thick stands of this showy native member of the Mint family.Once seen, it is hard to confuse with any other wildflower. The round flower heads (about 2" across)  form singly atop a tall stem, usually 4-5 feet high, and are composed of many scarlet-red individual flowers. Each individual flower is about 1.5" long, with upper and lower lips that gape wide like a baby Robin begging for caterpillars. The leaves, as with most mints, are lance-shaped but broad, opposite, and toothed. The lower leaves are clearly stemmed, while the upper leaves are stemless or nearly so. Also, there are bracts (leaf-like structures) immediately below the flowerhead that are heavily streaked or tinted with red-purple. You will find Bee Balm growing next to small streams, in damp coves, and in wet roadside ditches in the shade. It blooms generally throughout July.