Monarda clinopodia
Monarda clinopodia, commonly known as white bergamot, basil bee balm or white bee balm, is a perennial wild flower in the mint family, Lamiaceae. This species is native to North America, ranging north from New York, west to Missouri, and south to Georgia and Alabama.[1] M. clinopodia has also been introduced into Vermont and Massachusetts.[2][3]
White bergamot | |
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Monarda clinopodia iflower. This is a native plant growing wild in Scotts Run Nature Preserve, Fairfax county Virginia, USA. | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Lamiaceae |
Genus: | Monarda |
Species: | M. clinopodia |
Binomial name | |
Monarda clinopodia | |
Description
This perennial, herbaceous wildflower growing 1 to 2 m (3 ft 3 in to 6 ft 7 in) in height. Leaves are simple and opposite. Leaf margins have teeth. Leafy bracts white or white-tinged. Corolla is white or pink, dark-spotted, 1.5 - 3 cm long.[4] Flowers are bilateral with four petals, sepals, or tepals in each flower fusing into a cup or tube.[2]
Grows in moist woods, thickets, ravines, and stream-banks. Flowers late June to early September.[4]
References
- "Plants Profile for Monarda clinopodia (white bergamot)". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
- "Monarda clinopodia (basil bee-balm): Go Botany". gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
- "Monarda clinopodia (basil bee-balm): Go Botany". gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
- Fernald, M.L. Gray's Manual of Botany. p. 1237.