Herb
Monarda fistulosa
B tier
Monarda fistulosa is wild bergamot—lavender-pink flowers, more drought-tolerant than scarlet types, leaves with a thyme-oregano perfume used in Native and settler teas. Milder colour drama, excellent aromatic leaf. Steep for herbal tea; use flowers sparingly in salads. A prairie native culinary-ornamental.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
DriedFlowerFresh LeafTea
Traits
Drought ToughHardyLavender FlowerLavender PinkOregano ThymeTea AromaticWild Bergamot Species
History
US
Indigenous nations used wild bergamot leaf for tea and medicine across the plains and east.
Botany named Monarda fistulosa among North American monardas.
US
Wild bergamot entered prairie restoration and herb gardens.
Culinary foragers and native-plant cooks used M. fistulosa in teas.