Plant of the Week #13- Bee Balm

Bee balm, also known as wild bergamot, seems to be exploding on the prairies at this time! It is a common plant throughout North America and Canada. While some consider it to be "weedy" and aggressive, it seems to be rather well-behaved on the prairies near La Crosse, favoring the edges of the prairies that have been opened up as new territory. It grows much more sparsely in the central more mature prairie. A perennial with the scientific name Monarda fistulosa, it expands by rhizomes creating a "bushy" appearance but also spreads readily by seed. Like other plants in the mint family, it is deer resistant.

According to the book "Wildflowers of Wisconsin" by Black and Judziewicz, Monarda comes from Nicholas Monardes, a Spanish botanist and physician who lived from 1493 to 1588 while fistulosa means "hollow" or "tubular". The plant has been used through the ages for many medicinal purposes, most commonly as a tea. Although many associate it with Earl Grey tea, it only shares a similar aroma with bergamot orange, a citrus plant that is actually used to make this particular tea.

Bee balm, as its name suggests, is highly appealing to numerous bees. Bumblebees are a common sight on this plant. At Zoerb Prairie, the federally endangered rusty patched bumblebee, Bombus affinis, was observed on bee balm on July 18th this year.

At the same time, there were many other bumblebees on the plant including the common eastern (B impatiens):

A twospotted (B bimaculatus) coming in for a landing:

A brown-belted (B griseocollis):

The next two photos, I believe, are of a lemon cuckoo (B Citrinus). Note the small thorax patch in the first photo and the yellow band on the third section or tergum in the second:

Cuckoo bumblebees are nest parasites of other bumblebees laying their eggs in the colonies of other species to raise their young.

Last, a blurry photo of a tricolored (B ternarius) that is actually on purple prairie clover, but had just flown from a bee balm plant:

Many butteflies were also seen on this plant. Here is a grass-skipper on July 8th that I believe is a northern broken-dash (Wallengrenia egremet):

Of course, numerous other native bees use bee balm as well. The nectar is sought by "long-tongued" bees like miner bees and leaf-cutter bees while others collect the pollen. As the year progresses into fall, then winter, consider keeping bee balm stems standing for cavity nesting bees. According to the Xerxes Society, about 70% native solitary bees nest in the ground but the remaining are cavity nesters. Many of these use the hollow or pithy stems of withered plants like bee balm. To help these bees, consider cutting back the stems of hollow plants like bee balm as the stems die back at a height of 8-24 inches. Female bees often find these stems the following year and make a series of brood chambers for developing bees. Here is a photo from the Xerxes Society:

Finally, what does "balm" mean? Here a few definitions: First, it can refer to "a fragrant preparation to heal or soothe the skin"- think of lip balm. Second, it can describe "a spicy aromatic odor"- think of a plant releasing its soft fragrance into the air. Third, "any of several aromatic plants of the mint family" which seems to best fit its use in bee balm. Last, the definition I like best when I am out on the prairie, is "soothing and restorative, something that gives comfort". Indeed, just being in the presence of bee balm and the rest of the plants and animals on the prairie can be a source of comfort during challenging times.