Monarda fistulosa

Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) is a wild flower native to the United States. This plant is often used as honey plant, medicinal plant, and ornamental plant.

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) Wild bergamot is a native perennial from slender creeping rhizomes and thus commonly occurs in large clumps. Plants are up to 3 feet tall with a few erect branches. Leaves are 2-3 inches long, lance-shaped, and toothed. Flower clusters are solitary at the ends of branches. Each cluster is about 1 1/2 inches long and contains about 20-50 flowers.Look for wild bergamot in rich soils in dry fields, thickets, and clearings, usually on limy soil.It ranges from North-eastern N. America - Quebec to Minnesota, south to Texas The plant is noted for its fragrance, and is a source of oil of thyme. One authority states that Native Americans recognized four varieties that had different odors. Leaves were eaten boiled with meat, and a decoction of the plant was made into hair pomade. The herb is considered an active diaphoretic (sweat inducer).Wild Bergamot flowers from June - August.