LucasLand

The Wildflowers

Basil Balm

or

White Bergamot

Monarda clinopodia

American Journal of Botany

Monarda didyma produces large red scentless nectar-rich flowers and is pollinated primarily by the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris [Linnaeus]). The smaller, white, scented flowers of Monarda clinopodia produce small amounts of nectar and are pollinated mainly by bumblebees (Bombus spp.). The two species are highly interfertile and have strongly overlapping flowering periods. Differences in pollinator sets and pollinator constancy appear to be only partial barriers to hybridization.

From 2bnthewild

Plant Type: This is a herbaceous plant, it is a perennial which can reach 100cm in height (39inches).
Leaves: The leaf arrangement is opposite. Leaves can reach 13cm in length (5inches). Each leaf is toothed, ovate to lanceolate with a rounded base. Petioles 1 to 3cm (0.4-.75") long.
Flowers: The flowers are irregular in shape . They are white or yellowish. Blooms first appear in mid summer and continue into early fall. The flowers are in a compact rounded head, usually single and terminal but sometimes with another head stacked above the first on the same stem. The lower lip of the flower is usually marked with purple spots. Bracts white or marked with white.
Habitat: Woods. Mostly mountains in our area.
Range: Much of northeastern U. S. as far south as the mountains of South Carolina.