Bergamot Plant vs Bergamot Orange: What’s the Difference?
If you search for a bergamot plant, you may come across two very different plants using the same common name.
One is bergamot orange, Citrus bergamia, a citrus tree cultivated for its aromatic fruit. This is the bergamot associated with bergamot juice, peel and essential oil.
The other is wild bergamot, a name used for several Monarda species in the mint family. It is a flowering herb native to North America and is also known by names such as bee balm and Oswego tea.
Despite sharing the name “bergamot”, these plants are not closely related. Citrus bergamia belongs to the citrus family, Rutaceae, while Monarda belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae.
For Bergamot Australia, the distinction is important: when we refer to bergamot, we mean the citrus species Citrus bergamia.
Key Takeaway
Bergamot orange and wild bergamot are two different plants. Bergamot orange is Citrus bergamia, an evergreen citrus tree that produces bergamot fruit. Wild bergamot refers to Monarda species, herbaceous flowering plants in the mint family. When Bergamot Australia refers to bergamot, it means Citrus bergamia.
Bergamot Orange vs Wild Bergamot
| Bergamot orange | Wild bergamot | |
| Botanical name | Citrus bergamia | Monarda species, including M. fistulosa |
| Plant family | Rutaceae | Lamiaceae |
| Plant type | Evergreen citrus tree | Herbaceous perennial |
| Origin and association | Strongly associated with Calabria, southern Italy | Native to parts of North America |
| Main parts used | Fruit, peel and juice | Leaves and flowers |
| Fruit | Produces citrus fruit | Does not produce citrus fruit |
| Flowers | White citrus flowers | Showy pink, purple or red flowers, depending on species |
| Growth habit | Woody tree | Herbaceous flowering plant |
| Common names | Bergamot, bergamot orange, bergamotto | Wild bergamot, bee balm and other regional names |
The easiest way to distinguish them is simple:
Bergamot orange is a citrus tree. Wild bergamot is a flowering herb.
What Is Bergamot Orange?
Bergamot orange is the common name generally used for Citrus bergamia.
It is an evergreen citrus tree that produces a distinctive aromatic fruit. The fruit is generally round to slightly pear-shaped, with yellow-green skin when mature.
Unlike sweet oranges, bergamot fruit is highly acidic and bitter, which means it is not normally eaten as a fresh table fruit.
Instead, different parts of the fruit can be processed for their distinctive properties.
Bergamot peel
The peel contains an aromatic essential oil with a characteristic citrus and floral fragrance.
Bergamot peel oil has applications in flavouring and fragrance and is one of the best-known products obtained from the fruit.
Bergamot juice
The pulp produces a strongly flavoured juice that can be used in food and beverage products.
Bergamot juice and fruit extracts have also been investigated in scientific research because bergamot contains naturally occurring compounds including flavonoids.
Research into bergamot is ongoing, and individual studies should not be interpreted as proof that a bergamot product can treat or prevent a medical condition.
Where Does Bergamot Come From?
Bergamot is particularly associated with Calabria in southern Italy, where the crop has a long-established history.
The province of Reggio Calabria is especially well known for bergamot cultivation and processing.
Calabria's importance does not mean that bergamot can only be grown there. The species can be cultivated in other suitable climates, and bergamot production has also been established in other parts of the world.
However, Calabria remains particularly significant to the history and commercial production of bergamot.
Is Bergamot a Hybrid?
The botanical history of bergamot is complex.
Citrus bergamia has traditionally been described as a hybrid citrus, and sour orange (Citrus aurantium) is commonly identified as one of its ancestral contributors.
Other citrus species have been proposed as part of its ancestry, including lemon and citron.
Because citrus species have a complicated history of hybridisation and classification, it is better to avoid presenting a simple description such as “bitter orange crossed with lemon” as an uncontested fact.
The safest description for general readers is that bergamot is a distinct citrus with a complex hybrid ancestry.
What Is Wild Bergamot?
Wild bergamot is a common name used for plants in the genus Monarda.
One species, Monarda fistulosa, is widely known as wild bergamot. Other Monarda species have different common names, including bee balm.
Unlike Citrus bergamia, Monarda is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae.
It is an herbaceous perennial rather than a tree. The plants produce upright stems and aromatic foliage, along with distinctive flowers that can vary in colour depending on the species and cultivar.
Wild bergamot and other Monarda species are popular garden plants and can provide resources for pollinating insects.
Why Is It Called Wild Bergamot?
The shared name is one of the main reasons people confuse Monarda with Citrus bergamia.
The common name “wild bergamot” is generally associated with the aromatic character of the plant. The leaves have a strong herbal fragrance, and their aroma has historically been compared with that of bergamot.
The name does not mean that Monarda is a type of citrus or that it is botanically related to bergamot orange.
It is simply a common-name association.
This is why botanical names are so useful when buying plants or researching bergamot products.
How to Tell the Two Plants Apart
There are several obvious differences between Citrus bergamia and Monarda.
Bergamot orange
Look for:
- A woody trunk and branches
- Glossy green citrus leaves
- White citrus flowers
- A tree-like growth habit
- Round or slightly pear-shaped citrus fruit
- Yellow-green fruit when mature
Wild bergamot
Look for:
- Soft, herbaceous stems
- Aromatic foliage
- Showy flower heads
- Pink, purple, red or related flower colours depending on species
- A clumping or upright perennial growth habit
- No citrus fruit
Many plants in the mint family also have stems that are square in cross-section. This can be a useful clue when identifying Monarda, but it should not be treated as a definitive identification test.
The botanical name is the best way to confirm which plant you have.
If a plant is labelled Citrus bergamia, it is the citrus bergamot relevant to Bergamot Australia's products.
If it is labelled Monarda, it belongs to the unrelated wild bergamot or bee balm group.
What Are the Other Names for Bergamot?
The citrus species can appear under several different names.
| Name | Description |
| Citrus bergamia | Botanical name |
| Bergamot | Common English name |
| Bergamot orange | Common name used to distinguish the citrus from other plants called bergamot |
| Bergamotto | Italian name |
| Bergamote | French name |
| Citrus aurantium subsp. bergamia | Classification used in some taxonomic literature |
The essential oil may also appear under a formal cosmetic ingredient name depending on the applicable nomenclature system.
For Monarda, common names include wild bergamot, bee balm and Oswego tea, although common names can vary between species and regions.
When accuracy matters, the botanical name is more reliable than the common name.
Where Does the Name “Bergamot” Come From?
The exact origin of the word “bergamot” is not completely settled.
One widely cited explanation connects the name with the Turkish expression beg armudu, commonly translated as “prince's pear” or “lord's pear”. This has been associated with the shape of the fruit.
Other explanations have connected the word with Bergamo, a city in northern Italy, while other etymological sources have proposed a connection with Bergama, the Turkish name associated with the ancient city of Pergamon.
Because reference sources do not agree completely, the etymology is best described as disputed rather than presented as a settled fact.
Can You Grow Bergamot in Australia?
Yes. Both Citrus bergamia and Monarda species can be grown in Australia, although they have very different cultivation requirements.
Growing bergamot orange in Australia
Citrus bergamia is a citrus tree, so its success depends on factors including:
- Climate
- Temperature
- Sunlight
- Soil drainage
- Water availability
- Protection from unsuitable conditions
Australian nurseries do offer bergamot trees, although availability can vary.
Anyone looking to grow bergamot should check that the particular cultivar and rootstock are suitable for their local conditions.
As with other citrus, purchasing a healthy plant from a reputable Australian nursery is preferable to attempting to bring citrus plant material into Australia from overseas.
Australia has strict biosecurity requirements for imported plants and plant material because citrus can carry serious pests and diseases.
Growing wild bergamot in Australia
Monarda species are herbaceous perennials that can also be grown in suitable parts of Australia.
Their requirements depend on the particular species and local climate, but they are generally grown as ornamental flowering plants in gardens.
Because “wild bergamot” can refer to more than one Monarda species, gardeners should check the botanical name and the growing requirements of the particular plant they are purchasing.
What Bergamot Means at Bergamot Australia
At Bergamot Australia, bergamot refers to the citrus Citrus bergamia.
This is the plant that produces the distinctive bergamot fruit used for its juice, peel and aromatic oil.
It is important to distinguish this citrus from Monarda, which is also called wild bergamot.
They may share a common name, but they are different plants from different botanical families.
For customers interested in bergamot products, checking the botanical identity helps remove the confusion:
Bergamot orange — Citrus bergamia — is the citrus behind Bergamot Australia's bergamot products.
Wild bergamot — Monarda — is an unrelated flowering plant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is wild bergamot the same as bergamot orange?
No. Wild bergamot refers to Monarda species, while bergamot orange refers to the citrus Citrus bergamia.
They belong to different plant families.
What is the difference between bergamot and wild bergamot?
Bergamot, when referring to the citrus, is Citrus bergamia, an evergreen citrus tree that produces aromatic fruit.
Wild bergamot is a common name associated with Monarda, a group of herbaceous flowering plants in the mint family.
Is bergamot a fruit or a plant?
Bergamot can refer to both the citrus plant and its fruit.
The plant is Citrus bergamia, while the fruit produced by that tree is also commonly called bergamot.
The term can become confusing because Monarda plants are also called wild bergamot.
Is bergamot orange a real orange?
Bergamot orange is a common name for Citrus bergamia, but it is not the same as the sweet orange commonly sold as an eating orange.
It is a distinct citrus species with its own characteristic fruit and aromatic properties.
Can you grow a bergamot tree in Australia?
Yes. Citrus bergamia can be grown in Australia where local conditions are suitable.
Growing success depends on factors such as climate, temperature, soil, sunlight and water. Australian availability of nursery-grown trees also varies.
What is bergamot used for?
Bergamot fruit can be processed into products including juice and essential oil.
Its peel is particularly valued for its distinctive aromatic oil, which is widely used in flavour and fragrance applications.
Bergamot fruit and extracts have also been the subject of scientific research.
Is bergamot the same as Monarda?
No. Citrus bergamia and Monarda are different plants belonging to different families.
The confusion comes from their shared common name.