Is this a daisy-like green flower with six petals?
No.
The green “petals” are sepals. The two lavender and white tubes on the left provide a clue. The central disc used to hold the flowers.
This is wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa). When in bloom it looks like this.
Still don’t recognize it? Click here to see a flower bed full of Monarda fistulosa.
It’s a challenge to identify flowers when they’ve gone to seed.
(photos by Kate St. John)
Here in the Rocky Mountains we call it Bee Balm, and it is one of my FAVORITES. (Though truth be told…I do have MANY favorite wildflowers!!). On my daily hike there are several large meadows of Bee Balm (past their prime right now, of course!) I was going to post a pic I took three weeks ago, but alas, it wouldn’t post. Ah well…
LOVE your blog, Kate! Thanks for so faithfully keeping it up! Blessings on you!