Bergamot

Classification:
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae (mint family)
Genus species: Monarda fistulosa

Etymology:
Monarda named after Nicholas Monards (1493-1588), a Spanish physician and botanist. Fistulosa is Latin for "like a reed or pipe" or "tubular"

Inflorescence:
Solitary cluster of flowers at end of stem or branch
About 75 flowers in each cluster
Cluster is 1 to 3 cm across
Green or whitish bracts are located below cluster of flowers

Flowers:
Petals are pink, lavender, or deep purple
Each flower has two "lips", upper and lower
Flower may be up to 4 cm long
Each flower is on a separate stalk, about 1 mm long
Upper lip extends forward and has a hairy tip
Lower lip has three lobes and is spreading
Two stamens are united
Stamens are longer than petals
Filaments are white, about 1 cm long
Anthers are brownish-purple, about 2 mm wide
Ovary has four nutlets
Flowers are produced from May to August

Fruit:
Fruit is round, each nutlet contains one seed

Leaves:
Opposite, simple, lance-shaped with a rounded base and pointed tip
2.5 to 10 cm long, 2.5 to 4 cm wide
Sparsely hairy to smooth on upper surface
Hairy on lower surface
Edges may be coarsely toothed or smooth
Leaves are on stalks (petioles) up to 2.5 cm long

Stems:
Up to 1.5 m tall
Stout, erect, hollow
Stem is square in cross-section (4-angled)
Green to purple (in strong sun)
Fragrant

Roots:
Fibrous roots or slender rhizomes

Habitat:
Perennial
Occurs in pastures, thickets, roadsides, prairies
Tolerates drought conditions
Requires full to partial sun

Sketch of bergamot from USDA-NRCS PLANTS
Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913.
Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 3: 132.

 

Did you know...

  • Fragrant flowers are attractive to bees, thus the name “beebalm”

  • Leaves were used by American Indians for medicinal purposes, such as treating colds, fevers, coughs, stomach aches, breathing problems, and acne.

  • Plants were also used by American Indians to perfume their hair and clothes.

  • You can use the dried leaves and flowers to scent your closets and bureaus.

  • The plant is a big favorite among butterfly gardeners and is widely cultivated.

  • It grows easily from seed.

  • Leaves can be used to make tea.

  • Flowers can be used to dress up a salad or garnish a meal.

Sources:

www.missouriplants.com/pinkopp/monarda_fistulosa_page.html
www.lib.ksu.edu/wildflower/mintbeebalm.html
http://wisplants.uwsp.edu/scripts/detail.asp?SpCode=MONFISsFIShttp://www.plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MOFI

 


Bergamot is also known as "beebalm" because
its fragrant flowers are attractive to bees.


Bergamot's flowers are arranged in a cluster at the end of
a stem. There are usually about 75 flowers in each cluster


Petals may be pink, lavender, or purple.
Two stamens are fused. Stamens are
longer than petals; filaments are white
and anthers are brownish-purple.


Each leaf has a rounded base and pointed tip.
Leaf edges may be coarsely toothed or smooth.


Its stem is purple or green and is square in cross section


Green or whitish bracts are located below cluster of flowers