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Monarda menthifolia

Common name:	Mint-Leaved Bergamot	Family:	Labiatae
Author:	Graham.	Botanical references:	200
Synonyms:	Monarda fistulosa menthifolia ((Graham.)Fernald.)
Known Hazards:	None known
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[212].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	1	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	2

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	M. fistulosa ssp. fistulosa var. menthifolia[P] M. fistulosa var. menthifolia[B] M. menthaefolia[Smap,Smo]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Mintleaf Beebalm [P], Oregano De La Sierra [S], Oregano De La Sierra, Wild Oregano [S], Wild Oregano [S], Wild Oregano, Oregano De La Sierra [S],
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Lamiales. Renamed to Lamiaceae -- Mint family

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.75m. It is hardy to zone 3. It is in flower from July to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. We rate it 1/5 for edibility and 2/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Cultivated Beds.

Edible Uses

Leaves; Tea.

Leaves - used as an aromatic tea[212]. The leaves are a very common and popular potherb with the Hopi Indians - they are gathered and dried in bundles for winter use[216].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Anaesthetic; Antiseptic; Diaphoretic.

The leaves and flowering stems are anaesthetic, antiseptic and diaphoretic[238]. An infusion is used in the treatment of fevers and sore throats[257]. The pulverized plant has been rubbed on the head to bring relief from a headache[257]. An infusion of the plant is used as a wash on wounds[257].
The plant is a source of the medicinal essential oil 'thymol', which is antiseptic[212].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Easily grown in ordinary garden soil so long as it is not too dry[1, 200]. Requires a moist soil and a sunny position[200].
A good bee plant[200]. Subject to mildew in dry summers[200].
The Hopi Indians occasionally cultivate this plant as a pot herb[216].

Propagation

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.

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for Monarda fistulosa ssp. fistulosa var. menthifolia (a possible synonym).

[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.

References for Monarda fistulosa var. menthifolia (a possible synonym).

[B] Data (Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

References for Monarda menthaefolia (a possible synonym).

[S] Image from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
[S] Image from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
[S] SW USA Dist. Maps from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
[S] Image from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[212] Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963 ISBN 63-7093
Excellent little pocket guide to the area, covering 590 species and often giving details of their uses.

[216] Whiting. A. F. Ethnobotany of the Hopi North Arizona Society of Science and Art 1939
A very good guide the the plant uses of the N. American Hopi Indians.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[257] Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.

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Bibliography

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
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