Andrew Trundlewagon's photos with the keyword: bee balm

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29 Jun 2021 10 8 202
Monarda, is a wildflower of North America, although this is a garden cultivar. It is supposed to be pollenated by hummingbirds but we have grown it for years and I have yet to see a humming bird go near it, although it is popular with bumble bees. Its common names include bee balm, horsemint, Oswego tea, and bergamot, due to the fragrance of the leaves, which is reminiscent of bergamot orange. It was used as medicinal plant by the indigenous North Americans (Wikipedia). It is also the favorite food for caterpillars of the Raspberry Pyrausta, a small, vividly pink moth.

Monarda July 2018 DSC 0807