An Indexed Bibliography. The Scientific Literature on Selected Herbs, and Aromatic and Medicinal Plants of the Temperate Zone. Bergamot, bee balm, Oswego tea, scarlet monarda, red balm, American melissa, Indian's plume, and mountain balm all generally refer to Monarda didyma L., a plant native to North America and naturalized in Europe. This perennial herb, sometimes reported as Monarda coccinea Hort. Wright et Asn.
Bergamot reaches a height of about one meter and has scarlet flowers.
Many cultivars and forms exist, providing a wide variety of growth habits and colors. The plant is adaptable to a broad range of growth environments. The plant has been valued for ornamental, culinary, and medicinal uses. Young leaves are dried and used in herbal teas, such as Oswego tea, or as flavoring in wines, jellies and fruit dishes. Leaves are used in potpourris.