A new chemical race of Monarda fistulosa (Labiatae)

A race, chemically distinct but morphologically similar to the widespread Monarda fistulosa L. var. menthaefolia (Graham) Fern., has been found to share the same habitat with the normal form in and around the Spruce Woods Forest Reserve in Manitoba.The foliage of the mutant form contained 0.7 to 1.1% oil on a fresh weight basis. This was about twice the quantity steam-distilled from the normal form. The oil from the mutant was 72 to 93% geraniol, previously unreported in Monarda. The mutant and normal forms cross readily, indicating no genetic isolating barriers have been established.