Wild Bergamot, Horsemint

Monarda fistulosa

(Monarda fistulosa var. fistulosa)

mo-NAR-da  fist-yoo-LOW-suh

Synonyms of Monarda fistulosa (1) (Updated on 12-20-23 from Plants of the World Online): Monarda fistulosa var. typica Sherff (1945)
Synonyms of Monarda fistulosa var. fistulosa (24) (Updated on 1-2-23 from POWO): Monarda affinis Link (1821), Monarda albiflora C.Morren (1851), Monarda barbata Wender. (1828), Monarda coerulea Benth. (1833), Monarda commutata Wender. (1828), Monarda cristata Benth. (1833), Monarda dubia Benth. (1833), Monarda fistulosa f. albescens Farw. (1923), Monarda fistulosa f. oblongata (Aiton) Voss (1895), Monarda fistulosa f. russellii B.Boivin (1967), Monarda hybrida Wender. (1828), Monarda involucrata Wender. (1828), Monarda lilacina Wender. (1828), Monarda longifolia Lam. (1797), Monarda oblongata Aiton (1789), Monarda purpurascens Dum.Cours. (1811), Monarda purpurea Pursh (1813), Monarda scabra Beck (1826), Monarda undulata Tausch ex Rchb. (1828), Monarda urticifolia Tausch (1825), Monarda varians W.P.C.Barton (1815), Monarda violacea Desf. (1815), Monarda virginalis E.Vilm. (1870), Pycnanthemum monardella Michx. (1803)

Monarda fistulosa L. is the accepted scientific name for this species of Monarda. The genus and species were named and described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the first volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

Accepted Infraspecific Names (7) (Updated on 12-19-23 from POWO): *Monarda fistulosa var. fistulosa (autonym), Monarda fistulosa var. longepetiolata B.Boivin, Monarda fistulosa var. maheuxii B.Boivin (1967), Monarda fistulosa var. menthifolia (Graham) Fernald (1944), Monarda fistulosa var. mollis (L.) L. (1762), Monarda fistulosa var. rubra A.Gray (1878), Monarda fistulosa var. stipitatoglandulosa (Waterf.) ined. *When an infraspecific taxon is named, an autonym (“type-specimen”) is automatically generated that is closest to the (original) species. All have their own list of synonyms.

As of 12-20-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 22 species in the Monarda genus. It is a member of the plant family Lamiaceae with 232 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.

The above distribution map for Monarda fistulosa (including lower taxon) is from Plants of the World Online. Areas in green are where the species is native. You can click on the link above to view maps of the lower taxon. The USDA Plants Database for the United States and Canada shows a broader range. The USDA gets its maps from BONAP (The Biota of North America Program), but BONAP (2014) doesn’t show as large a range. The above link to BONAP goes to maps of all the Monarda species they have in the United States… Somewhere on the BONAP website, it says they sent maps to the USDA Database and some were initially incorrect. They sent corrected maps but the USDA didn’t upload them… Well, no map is perfect. They just give a general idea and species could have a broader range than have been reported. Even if there has been only one observation in a state, the whole state gets included in some cases.

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations.

THERE ARE A FEW LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A BETTER POSITIVE ID.

When I moved back to the family farm in 2013, I noticed this plant growing along the highways and in a few places on the farm. I never noticed it growing anywhere until then, not even when I lived in southern Missouri. Now, I see it almost everywhere.

USEFUL INFORMATION:
Family: Lamiaceae.
Origin: Native to North America.
Zones: USDA Zones 3a-9b (-40 to 25° F).
Size: 24-30” tall.
Light: Sun to part shade.
Soil: Dry to medium, well-drained soil.
Water: Average water needs, drought-tolerant.
Attracts: Hummingbirds and butterflies.
Tolerates: While many species of Monarda are susceptible to powdery mildew, this species seems to be resistant.

<<<<2017>>>>

While many Monarda species, such as Monarda didyma, seem to prefer moist soil along streams, Monarda fistulosa thrives in drier soil. It is found along highways, in pastures and meadows, fence rows, etc. It is a great pollinator plant as it attracts many bees and other pollinating insects. The flowers attract hummingbirds and hummingbird moths. In fact, the first hummingbird moth I ever saw was while taking photos of this plant in 2013.

In 2013 there were just a few plants here and there. As you can see, it has spread quite a bit in 2017 when the above photo was taken.

Monarda fistulosa can be distinguished from other Monarda species by the color of its flowers. The corollas are solid pink or lavender. Other species have flowers with red, purple, or white corollas, or they have dark purple dots on the lower lips of their corollas.

 

 

<<<<2018>>>>

Monarda fistulosa growing in a fence row between the south hayfield and front pasture.

Monarda fistulosa mainly flowers from May through August. It is native to most of North America.

Monarda fistulosa can be found in pastures and fields, fence rows, along roads and highways, parries, etc. 

Monarda fistulosa is a butterfly magnet are grown by many butterfly gardeners.

The leaves have been used medicinally but are mainly used to flavor tea these days. 

The above photo is of a colony of Monarda fistulosa growing along the fence between the front pasture and the Rock Island Trail.

 

It seems that Monarda fistulosa is becoming more abundant every year. In 2018 I noticed a HUGE patch along the road in front of the pasture.

Even though the flowers may not make a lasting cut flower, the seed pods would be nice in a dried flower arrangement.

<<<<2019>>>>

I didn’t take many photos of the Monarda fistulosa in 2019 and none in 2020. I was fairly busy plus I was taking photos and identifying a lot of other wildflowers on the farm and other areas.

<<<<2021>>>>

The Monarda fistulosa continues to come up in the same areas as usual plus there is always a new colony here and there.

A clump came up in the ditch in front of the yard in 2021 although I didn’t take photos of it. I just let it grow even though I wasn’t really impressed with its location…

It seems like some colonies are a little ahead of others. So, while some are flowering, some are just beginning to bud.

As the plants get older their stems turn kind of a purplish color…

In the fall of 2020, the grown-up area along the south side of the south hayfield was mowed off and a new fence was put in. A lot of wildflower species came up to be identified I hadn’t seen before. There was A LOT of Monarda fistulosa…

<<<<2022>>>>

Up and growing on April 3 in 2022.

I will add more photos and information about this plant as time goes by.

I have enjoyed photographing and learning about the many wildflowers growing on the farm and in other areas. I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of Wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the blog). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a horticulturalist I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF MISSOURI (GENUS)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
DAVE’S GARDEN
MISSOURI PLANTS
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-WEED ID GUIDE
iNATURALIST
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
USDA PLANT GUIDE
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
PFAF (PLANTS FOR A FUTURE)
GO BOTANY
FLORA FINDER
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
THE HERBAL ACADEMY

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂