Monarda fistulosa

Wild bergamot
Inflorescence

Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Monarda
Species:
M. fistulosa
Binomial name
Monarda fistulosa

Monarda fistulosa, the wild bergamot or bee balm,[1] is a wildflower in the mint family Lamiaceae, widespread and abundant as a native plant in much of North America.[2] This plant, with showy summer-blooming pink to lavender flowers, is often used as a honey plant, medicinal plant, and garden ornamental.[3] The species is quite variable, and several subspecies or varieties have been recognized within it. Despite it's name it has no relation to the 'true' bergamot, a citrus fruit.

  1. ^ Wild Bergamot Archived 2010-04-17 at the Wayback Machine, Edmonton Naturalization Group
  2. ^ NRCS. "Monarda fistulosa". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  3. ^ "Plant Guide: Monarda fistulosa" (PDF). Plant Materials, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture.