Monarda didyma 1413874 219813397 2008-06-17T00:03:12Z SieBot 4005189 robot Adding: [[he:ברגמוט]] {{distinguish|bergamot orange}} {{Taxobox | name = ''Monarda didyma'' | image = Bee_balm.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = ''Monarda didyma'' | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]] | ordo = [[Lamiales]] | familia = [[Lamiaceae]] | genus = ''[[Monarda]]'' | species = '''''M. didyma''''' | binomial = ''Monarda didyma'' | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]] | range_map = Monarda didyma in the USA.svg | range_map_width = 240px | range_map_caption = U.S. distribution of ''Monarda didyma'' }} '''''Monarda didyma''''' ('''Bergamot''', '''Scarlet Beebalm''', '''Scarlet Monarda''', '''Oswego Tea''', or '''Crimson Beebalm''') is an aromatic [[herb]] in the family [[Lamiaceae]], native to eastern [[North America]] from [[Maine]] west to [[Ohio]] and south to northern [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. Its name is derived from its odor which is considered similar to that of the [[bergamot orange]]. The [[binomial nomenclature|scientific name]] comes from [[Nicolas Monardes]], who described the first American flora in [[1569]]. ===Description=== This hardy [[perennial plant]] grows to 0.7-1.5 m in height, with the stems square in cross-section. The [[Leaf|leaves]] are opposite on the square stems, 6-15 cm long and 3-8 cm broad, and dark green with reddish leaf veins and a coarsely-toothed margin; they are glaborous or sparsely pubescent above with spreading hairs below. It has ragged, bright red tubular [[flower]]s 3-4 cm long, borne on showy heads of about 30 together, with reddish bracts. It grows in dense clusters along stream banks, thickets and ditches, flowering from July to late August. ===Cultivation and uses=== Bergamot is extensively grown as an [[ornamental plant]] both within and outside its native range; it is [[naturalisation (biology)|naturalized]] further west in the [[United States]] and also in parts of [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. It grows best in full sun, but tolerates light shade and will thrive in any moist soil that is well-drained. Several [[cultivar]]s have been selected for different flower color, ranging from white through pink to dark red and purple. The name ''Oswego Tea'' comes from the [[Iroquois|Oswego]] Indians who taught the immigrants how to use it for [[tea]] after the [[Boston tea party]] in [[1773]]. The flowers and leaves are good ingredients for [[potpourri]] making. Note that the bergamot herb is ''not'' the source of bergamot oil, used to flavor [[Earl Grey tea]]; that comes from the [[bergamot orange]], a [[Mediterranean]] [[citrus]] [[fruit]]. Bee Balm has a long history of use as a medicinal plant by many Native Americans including the Blackfeet. The Blackfeet Indians recognized this plants strong antiseptic action, and used poultices of the plant for skin infections and minor wounds. A tea made from the plant was also used to treat mouth and throat infections caused by dental [[caries]] and [[gingivitis]]. Bee Balm is the natural source of the antiseptic [[Thymol]], the primary active ingredient in modern commercial [[mouthwash]] formulas. The Winnebago used a tea made from bee Balm as a general stimulant. Bee Balm was also used as a [[carminative]] herb by Native Americans to treat excessive flatulence. <ref>Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, ISBN 0-87842-359-1</ref> ==References== *[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?24535 Germplasm Resources Information Network: ''Monarda didyma''] *[http://www.missouriplants.com/Redopp/Monarda_didyma_page.html Missouri Plants: ''Monarda didyma''] *[http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_oswego_tea.htm Oswego tea] * {{cite book | author=[[Neltje Blanchan|Blanchan, Neltje]] | title=[[Wild Flowers Worth Knowing]] | year=[[2005]] | publisher=[[Project Gutenberg|Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation]]}} * {{cite book | author=Pink, A. | url=http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/11892|title=Gardening for the Million| year=2004 | publisher=[[Project Gutenberg|Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation]]}} *[http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MODI USDA Plants Profile: ''Monarda didyma''] {{Commonscat|Monarda didyma}} {{wikiversity-bc|Monarda didyma}} [[Category:Lamiaceae]] [[Category:Medicinal plants]] [[Category:Wildflowers of the Great Smoky Mountains]] [[da:Dobbelt Hestemynte]] [[de:Goldmelisse]] [[fr:Monarde]] [[he:ברגמוט]] [[pl:Pysznogłówka szkarłatna]] [[sv:Röd temynta]] [[zh:香蜂草]]