Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot)
| Also known as: | Horsemint, Bee Balm |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Monarda |
| Family: | Lamiaceae (Mint) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | sun; dry fields, prairies, along roads |
| Bloom season: | summer |
| Plant height: | 2 to 4 feet |
| USDA PLANTS database: | Minnesota county distribution map |
| Spotted in Ramsey County at: |
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Detailed Information
- Flower:
![[photo of flower]](/udata/r9ndp23q/purple/wild-bergamot-100_0330-t.jpg)
Round cluster, 1 to 2 inches across, of tubular lavender flowers. Individual flowers have a ¼-inch wide curved lower petal and a thin straight upper petal. The upper petal has a hairy tip and the lower petal is lobed. 2 stamens extend beyond the flower tip.
- Leaves and stem:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/purple/wild-bergamot-100_0264-t.jpg)
Leaves are coarsely toothed, 1 to 4 inches long and up to 1½ inches wide, on short leaf stems, rounded at the leaf base and tapering to a point at the tip. They are hairy underneath and usually smooth on top. Attachment is opposite. The stem is a reddish color, square, and somewhat hairy.
- Notes:
- This is one of my favorite flowers. In full bloom, the flower head looks like a little fireworks display.
![[photo of flower]](/udata/r9ndp23q/purple/wild-bergamot-100_0330.jpg)
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/purple/wild-bergamot-100_0264.jpg)
More photos
a patch of Wild BergamotPhotos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN, July 2007
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
Posted by: K Chayka
on: 2009-08-20 06:34:43
on: 2009-08-20 06:34:43
Wild bergamot is a perennial, so they should bloom year after year. Weather might have an effect on how well it does, but this year they did OK around the Metro even with the drought.
on: 2009-08-19 09:26:45
I've been seeing a lot of these along the Heartland Trail this year. Do they bloom every year? It seems like there are a lot of years I don't see any, then they return.