ROADWEEDS OF THE UPPER PENINSULA

Wild bergamot is a native species and a good one to have around.  It's fairly common along roadways but will usually grow just off the really hard-packed shoulder.  It is sometimes called bee-balm, although bee-balm is actually its cousin, Monarda didyma, which no longer occurs in Michigan, according to the Michigan DNR.  There is also another "bee-balm", thought to be a cross for gardeners between M. fistulosa and M. didyma.  It has large colorful flowers.  The leaves of wild bergamot can be used to flavor tea.  In Europe, wild bergamot is the flavoring in Earl Grey tea. 

  Return to the Purple Flower Page, or to the Michigan Invasive Plant Council home page.

This website is maintained by Bill Cook in cahoots with the Michigan Invasive Plant Council (MIPC).  The MIPC is a loose group of folks (not necessarily a group of loose folks!) working to make information available about invasive plants in Michigan and related issues.  If you have questions or comments about the information on this page, contact Bill. 

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