Wild Bergamot

Wild Bergamot began appearing along our roadsides in early July and the number of blooms has been increasing steadily with hot, sunny weather. You’ll continue to see blooms through August and into September. The flowers are approximately an inch in diameter and about 2-4 feet tall.

Called Monarda fistulosa by botanists, Wild Bergamot belongs to the mint family. The Audubon Society’s field guide says its aromatic leaves can be dried and used for tea.

Here’s another picture that shows Wild Bergamot in context beside a road.