# wild bergamot (*Monarda fistulosa*) Wild bergamot is a beautiful flower that grows in fields and meadows. It has lovely purple blooms and a sweet, minty smell that attracts butterflies and bees. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 28 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![wild bergamot](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Monarda-fistulosa.jpg&width=800) Photo: Hardyplants at English Wikipedia, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monarda-fistulosa.jpg) ## Appearance The wild bergamot has unique spherical clusters of tubular, shaggy lavender-pink to purple flowers that stand out in fields. Its stems are distinctly square, and its opposite leaves have a slightly fuzzy texture, making it visually appealing and easy to identify. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Lamiales - **Family:** Lamiaceae - **Genus:** Monarda ## Interesting facts - Even though it looks wild, hummingbirds absolutely love sipping nectar from its flowers! - Its 'bergamot' scent isn't from the citrus fruit, but a similar aroma from its leaves! - Native Americans used this plant for teas and remedies, even for bee stings! - This plant is a cousin to mint, which is why its crushed leaves smell so fresh! ## Special abilities - **Nectar Beacon:** Wild bergamot can produce abundant nectar that helps it attract many different pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds for reproduction. - **Aromatic Shield:** Wild bergamot has special oils that give it a minty scent, helping it defend against some hungry animals and insects. - **Underground Traveler:** Wild bergamot can spread through underground stems called rhizomes, helping it form colonies and find new growing space. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 60-150 cm - **Spread:** 30-90 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-3 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen from flowers. - **Pollinates:** Common eastern bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Buzz pollinates flowers for pollen and nectar. - **Pollinates:** [Eastern tiger swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-tiger-swallowtail) (*Papilio glaucus*) — Sips nectar from the tubular flowers. - **Pollinates:** [Ruby-throated hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ruby-throated-hummingbird) (*Archilochus colubris*) — Feeds on nectar, aiding pollination. - **Eaten by:** Hermit Sphinx Moth (*Sphinx eremita*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves. ## Traits - [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch flowers without asking an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify wild bergamot? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is wild bergamot? 60-150 cm ### How wide does wild bergamot spread? 30-90 cm ### How big are the flowers on wild bergamot? 2-3 cm ### When does wild bergamot bloom? Summer ### Is wild bergamot edible? Yes ### Is wild bergamot toxic? None ### What is wild bergamot's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Bartholomew's Cobble](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bartholomews-cobble) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Boerner Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boerner-botanical-gardens) — Wisconsin, US · Botanical Garden - [Broadway Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadway-avenue-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Calico Rock Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/calico-rock-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Dinosaur Ridge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dinosaur-ridge) — Colorado, US · Natural Landmark [View all places to see wild bergamot](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/wild-bergamot) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Wild Bergamot: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wild-bergamot)