wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) observed in Franklin County, KY, USA
iNaturalist: lednarps
Native Plants
Wild bergamot is one of the best native plants you can add to a sunny garden border — it blooms mid-summer when many natives take a break, draws bumble bees and hummingbirds in numbers you can count, and requires almost no water once established.
A community scientist spotted and documented wild bergamot — a lavender-flowered native mint — growing in Franklin County, Kentucky. The sighting was verified to research quality, meaning the photo and location details were confirmed by experts in the iNaturalist community. Wild bergamot is a tough, fragrant wildflower that has been used medicinally by Indigenous peoples and is beloved by pollinators across North America.
Key Findings
Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) confirmed present in Franklin County, Kentucky with research-grade status
Observation contributes to citizen-science biodiversity mapping of native Lamiaceae in the region
Sighting supports ongoing documentation of native pollinator plants across Kentucky's bluegrass landscape
chevron_right Technical Summary
A research-grade observation of wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) was recorded in Franklin County, Kentucky, confirming the presence of this native prairie wildflower in the region through community science.
Abstract Preview
Research-grade observation of wild bergamot in Franklin County, KY, USA.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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Monarda fistulosa, the wild bergamot or bee balm, is a wildflower in the mint family Lamiaceae, widespread and abundant as a native plant in much of North America. This plant, with showy summer-blooming pink to lavender flowers, is often used as a honey plant, medicinal plant, and garden ornament...