Pier One, Brooklyn Bridge Park. Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot, bee balm - a member of the vast mint family, this one native to North America) with Gehry and the Woolworth Building, on the other side of the East River in that other country called Manhattan.
The leaves are edible raw or cooked but I have not tried them. Yet. Anyone? Or have I? Native Americans made tea with the leaves, which contain thymol...I need to visit this plant again, just to sniff it.
(Here's another Brooklyn blogger writing about bergamot)...
Yay for Wild Bergamot and for some of the great plant choices at Brooklyn Bridge Park. If the studies are showing that some natives are disappearing or on the move due to development and other issues, it's great to see parks planting them. Nice shot.
ReplyDeleteSnap! I've linked to yours :-)
ReplyDeleteThe color is wonderful - well worth looking for. I love monarda anyway, but have never seen this lovely lavender.
ReplyDeleteI think the distinctive flavor of Earl Gray tea is bergamot...
Yes, webb, of course! Thanks...
ReplyDeleteI think the bergamot in Earl Grey tea is from the rind of the bergamot orange, a Citrus. Your wild bergamot appears to be a Monarda, a different plant altogether, also used in herbal tea.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your beautiful blog.
It's delicious. Dry the leaves and use them instead of oregano. Use the flowers to flavor vinegar...I"ll be doing that this weekend.
ReplyDelete