Practical
Plants

Monarda menthifolia

Mint-Leaved Bergamot

a perennial member of the Monarda genus in the family Labiatae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Monarda
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.75 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - used as an aromatic tea[3]. The leaves are a very common and popular potherb with the Hopi Indians - they are gathered and dried in bundles for winter use[4].

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves and flowering stems are anaesthetic, antiseptic and diaphoretic[5]. An infusion is used in the treatment of fevers and sore throats[6]. The pulverized plant has been rubbed on the head to bring relief from a headache[6]. An infusion of the plant is used as a wash on wounds[6]. The plant is a source of the medicinal essential oil 'thymol', which is antiseptic[3].

Product or use
Anaesthetic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Diaphoretic

Environment

Range
N. America - Manitoba to Alberta, south to Arizona and Texas.
Habitat
Medium-dry to moist soils in valleys, prairies and mountains to 2,100 metres[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow mid to late spring in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place within 10 - 40 days at 20°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. The seed can also be sown in situ in late summer in areas where the winters are not too severe and will produce larger plants. Cuttings of soft basal shoots in spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in ordinary garden soil so long as it is not too dry[1][2]. Requires a moist soil and a sunny position[2]. A good bee plant[2]. Subject to mildew in dry summers[2]. The Hopi Indians occasionally cultivate this plant as a pot herb[4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Whiting. A. F. Ethnobotany of the Hopi North Arizona Society of Science and Art 1939-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩

  6. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

Edit this page