Plant · GBIF taxon 5341411
wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosaAlso known as Bee Balm, Purple Bee Balm, Wild Bee Balm, Fistulous Bee Balm
Wild bergamot fills summer prairies and open woodlands with dense, rounded clusters of tubular lavender flowers that resemble ragged pom-poms. The entire plant emits a strong, spicy aroma reminiscent of oregano and mint when brushed or bruised, a defense mechanism against mammalian herbivores. These fragrant blossoms serve as a critical nectar source for long-tongued bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout the mid-to-late summer months.
FloweringFragrantPollinator-Friendly
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
- Powdery Mildew
- Sphinx Moth Caterpillars
- White-tailed Deer
ThreatsHabitat loss, powdery mildew, and competition from invasive weeds
HabitatsPrairies, dry fields, open woods, pastures, and roadsides
Life spanPerennial (typically lives 3 to 5+ years)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLamiales
- FamilyLamiaceae
- GenusMonarda
- SpeciesMonarda fistulosa
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observe Pollinators: Watch the flower heads on sunny summer afternoons to spot a diverse array of bees, butterflies, and hummingbird moths.
- Scent the Leaves: Gently brush against the foliage to release the strong, oregano-like herbal aroma from its oil glands.
- Check for Mildew: Look for a white, powdery coating on the leaves in late summer, a common and harmless fungal occurrence.
Pollinator USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA / Public domain · cc0
Pollinator (c) Matthew Lindsey, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Alex Abair / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Becky Dill · cc0
Close Relative (c) Alex Abair, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.