Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Wild
Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa [C-value 4]
Mint family (Lamiaceae)
Blooms July
-
September
The beautiful native Wild Bergamot is common in our area. It prefers full or partial sun and moist to slightly dry conditions. Habitats include black soil prairies, hill prairies, savannas and woodland borders. This perennial is 2˝–4' tall, branching, with toothed, lance-shaped, opposite leaves up to 4" long and 2" across. The stems terminate in rounded (wreath-like) heads (1-3" across) of lavender or pink flowers. Each flower's corolla divides into a tubular upper lip with strongly projecting stamens and three slender lower lips that function as landing pads for visiting insects.
Wild Bergamot at Millbrook South Forest Preserve prairie July 15, 2013
The slender petals and exerted stamens give the flowerhead a regal feathery appearance.
Tiger Swallowtail on Wild Bergamot at Richard Young Forest Preserve prairie July 17, 2013
Wild Bergamot at Baker Woods Forest Preserve open area July 15, 2014
Wild Bergamot at Jay Woods Forest Preserve prairie July 17, 2015
Wild Bergamot (pre-blooming) at Subat Forest Preserve July 1, 2013
Wild Bergamot adds splash of color at Millbrook South Forest Preserve prairie July 15, 2013
Wild Bergamot fall seed heads at Oswego Library (Montg.) October 26, 2014
Wild Bergamot is sometimes mistakenly called Bee Balm, a garden plant (cultivar) similar to Wild Bergamot.
Wild Bergamot leaves and seed heads exude a delightful oregano-like scent. It is known for attracting many bees and other insects. Oil from its leaves is used in perfumes and Thymol in Listerine mouthwash is derived from Wild Bergamot leaves.
Native Americans used Wild Bergamot roots for a decoction for abdominal pain, "colic" and "sick stomach”. A tea from the leaves was used for chills, sore throat and bronchitis. It was called “Oswego-Tea” by a botanist after his 1743 visit at Fort Oswego in New York (along the river with Indian name "Oswego") when he was given the tea to sooth his sore throat. Reminder: see our Do Not Disturb Notice
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