Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides new variants of the Fad3 enzyme, including amino acid substitutions, as well as nucleic acid sequences encoding such peptides. Other aspects of the invention include transgenic plants and plant parts. Vectors capable of transforming plant cells are provided, including the nucleic acids of the invention, including Fad3 coding sequences. Corresponding methods are provided for obtaining the transgenic plants of the invention. Methods are provided for using the plants of the invention, including selected plants and transgenic plants, to obtain plant products. Amplification primers for identifying the Fad3 alleles of the invention are provided, together with methods of obtaining plants using the Fad3 alleles of the invention as markers.

Abstract: A new cultivar of bee balm, Monarda didyma ‘ACrade’, characterized by its purple-violet blossoms that are present abundantly in June through August. The new variety is mid sized in height with a mounded plant habit, is hardy in U.S.D.A. Zones 3 to 8, and exhibits dark green slightly glossy foliage that has shown resistant to powdery mildew.