A native mint with lavender-pink whorled flowers and a strong herbal scent (used in Earl Grey-style teas before the introduction of Asian bergamot). One of the very best magnets for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Monarda fistulosa, the wild bergamot or bee balm, is a wildflower in the mint family Lamiaceae, widespread and abundant as a native plant in much of North America. This plant, with showy summer-blooming pink to lavender flowers, is often used as a honey plant, medicinal plant, and garden ornamental. The species is quite variable, and several subspecies or varieties have been recognized within it. Despite its name, it has no relation to the 'true' bergamot, a citrus fruit.
Source: Wikipedia — Monarda fistulosa Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Aromatic perennial with square stems; opposite leaves; dense terminal flower clusters.
Similar species. Other Monarda species. Sweet Bergamot. Spotted Bee Balm.
Voice. N/A
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. N/A — photosynthesis
Behavior. Bumblebees pollinate spike flowers. Spreads vigorously by rhizomes.
§ Range
Most of North America east of the Rockies
§ Habitat
Prairies, meadows, open woodland, gardens
§ Threats
Loss of native prairie, garden monocultures, herbicide drift.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the wild bergamot is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Plant native Monarda fistulosa in gardens. Support prairie restoration. Skip lawn herbicides.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Monarda fistulosa
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Monarda fistulosa
- iNaturalist · taxon 75949
- IUCN Red List — search for Monarda fistulosa
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Monarda fistulosa
§ Sources cited
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- USDA Plants Database
- iNaturalist
