Native Species Profile - Wild Bergamot

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), also known as Bee Balm, is the most widespread of four Monarda species found in Michigan.  Nationally it has been recorded in all but four states (AK, HI, CA, FL) and across most of the temperate provinces of Canada.  It can grow in a variety of habitats including open woodlands, savannas, prairies, fields, dunes, etc.  It normally grows in dry habitats but is occasionally found in wetlands.

Bumble bee and Silver-spotted Skipper on Wild Bergamot

Wild Bergamot is a member of the Mint Family (Lamiaceae).  Like all other mints, it has stems with a square cross-section and opposite pairs of leaves.  The plants can grow to a height of 4 feet and are topped with a single rounded flower head.  This flower head measures 1 - 3 inches across.  Flowers begin blooming near the center of the head first and continue outward to the margins.  Flowers are typically pink or lavender colored.  Individual flowers on the head are tubular and may be up to an inch long.  Near the tip, each tubular flower splits into several protruding lips.  The lower lips serve as a landing place for pollinators.

Wild Bergamot - note tubular flowers and opposite pairs of leaves

Wild Bergamot has a distinctive strong scent that reminds some people of mint and others of oregano.  Anyone who drinks Earl Grey tea will recognize this smell, although in Earl Grey tea the smell comes from the peal of the Bergamot Orange.

A Snowberry Clearwing Moth (a bumble bee mimic) prepares to nectar on Wild Bergamot

Wild Bergamot is an important nectar source for many insects including bumble bees, bee flies, hummingbird and bumblebee moths, sphinx moths, skippers, and butterflies.  It is also visited by hummingbirds.  This plant spread by rhizomes and seeds so it often forms large colonies.  Large colonies can easily attract hundreds of pollinators at a time.


Basic Information

Wild Bergamot 
Monarda fistulosa

Height:  2.5 - 4’ tall

Habitat:  dry areas; fields, open woods, prairies, fields, sand dunes, savannas

Flower Color:  lavender to pink

Bloom Time:  July – August