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Science & Nature • Botany

Bergamot

Bergamot is a common name used for several plants, most often the citrus tree *Citrus bergamia* and the North American mint-family herb *Monarda fistulosa* (wild bergamot).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bergamot is a common name used for several plants, most often the citrus tree *Citrus bergamia* and the North American mint-family herb *Monarda fistulosa* (wild bergamot). The name is also used for related aromatic plants in the genus *Monarda*. Bergamot is known for its citrusy or minty fragrance and its use in tea, flavouring, perfumes, and herbal preparations.

Taxonomy and naming

The name bergamot is applied to different plants with aromatic oils. In botany and horticulture, it most commonly refers either to the citrus tree *Citrus bergamia* or to wild bergamot, especially *Monarda fistulosa*.

Description

*Citrus bergamia* is an evergreen citrus tree with fragrant flowers and fruit grown for its peel oil. *Monarda fistulosa* is a perennial herb in the mint family with showy pink to lavender flowers and strongly scented leaves.

Uses

Bergamot is used in tea, flavouring, marmalade, liqueurs, perfumes, soaps, and some herbal remedies. Wild bergamot is also valued as a pollinator plant and ornamental garden species.

Aroma and flavour

Bergamot oil is famous for a bright citrus scent. Wild bergamot is usually described as minty, spicy, citrus-mint, or oregano-like when the leaves are crushed.

Key facts

  • Bergamot is not a single species name; it is used for more than one aromatic plant.
  • *Citrus bergamia* is grown mainly for its fragrant oil, which flavours Earl Grey tea and is used in perfumes.
  • Wild bergamot (*Monarda fistulosa*) is a North American mint-family herb with aromatic leaves and pollinator-friendly flowers.
  • The smell is often described as citrusy, minty, or oregano-like depending on the species.
  • Some sources describe bergamot fruit as bitter and more suitable for flavouring than for eating raw.
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Canadian context

Wild bergamot (*Monarda fistulosa*) is native to North America and is widely used in Canadian native-plant gardening, pollinator plantings, and herbal tea traditions.

Frequently asked questions

What is bergamot?
Bergamot is a common name for aromatic plants, especially the citrus tree *Citrus bergamia* and the herb wild bergamot (*Monarda fistulosa*).
What are the benefits of bergamot?
It is used for fragrance, flavouring, tea, and herbal preparations; wild bergamot also supports pollinators. Some sources describe traditional medicinal uses, but health benefits depend on the plant and product.
What is bergamot used for?
It is used in Earl Grey tea, perfumes, soaps, marmalade, liqueurs, herbal tea, ornamental gardening, and pollinator plantings.
Is bergamot safe to eat?
The fruit of *Citrus bergamia* is usually very bitter and is mainly used for flavouring rather than eaten raw. Wild bergamot leaves are used in tea, but medicinal or concentrated products can differ in safety.
What does bergamot smell like?
*Citrus bergamia* smells citrusy and floral, while wild bergamot is commonly described as minty, spicy, citrus-mint, or oregano-like.

References

  1. Prairie Nursery — https://www.prairienursery.com/bergamot-monarda-fistulosa.html
    Supports: Wild bergamot as a native mint-family plant; aromatic leaves; tea use; pollinator value
  2. Native Plant Database (University of Texas at Austin / Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center) — https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=mofi
    Supports: Wild bergamot description, aromatic leaves, tea use, fragrance, and ornamental value
  3. Missouri Department of Conservation — https://www.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/wild-bergamot
    Supports: Wild bergamot scent description, culinary/herbal use, and relation to bergamot orange
  4. NC State University Plant Toolbox — https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/citrus-x-aurantium/common-name/bergamot/
    Supports: Bergamot citrus as a plant grown for marmalades, liquors, skincare, and fragrance uses
  5. NC State University Plant Toolbox — https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/monarda-fistulosa/
    Supports: Wild bergamot as an herbaceous perennial in the mint family
  6. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarda_didyma
    Supports: Bergamot as a common name for *Monarda didyma* and related aromatic herb naming