Oswego Tea, Bee balm, Bergamot, Red Bergamot, Mai guo bo he, American horsemint
Monarda didyma

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A plant which grows to 1 m high. It grows from seed each year. The leaf stalk is 2.5 cm long. The leaf blade is 10 cm long by 4.5 cm wide. It is papery. The teeth along the edge are unequal. The flower heads are 6 cm across. The flowers are tube shaped and about 12 form a round head. The flowers are purple-red.

There are 15 Monarda species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate climate plant. It likes moist places. In Hobart Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, China, Europe, France, Germany, Netherlands, North America, Slovenia, Switzerland, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The fresh or dried leaves are used for tea. They are also used fresh or dried to flavour pork dishes, cooked vegetables and in salads and stews. The flowers are also used in tossed salads.

It is cultivated in China.

Edible parts

Leaves tea, herb, spice, flowers

How it is grown

They can be grown by division, basal cuttings or seed.

Its other names

Local names

Indijanska kopriva

Synonyms

Monarda coccinea;