Wild Bergamot
Monarda Fistulosa
Monarda fistulosa, also commonly called Bee Balm or Horse-Mint, has a lovely violet blossom and distinctively aromatic foliage. It is a familiar component of prairie and savanna communities on all but the wettest of soils. Native to most of North America, it often is cited for its historical medicinal applications among Indigenous Peoples. These include poultices, as well as tea infusions for headaches, indigestion, colds and flu. Wild Bergamot is a favorite of butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. Its species name, fistulosa, refers to the tube-like structure of its blossoms, which appear from July through September.
