| July 29, 2010 Volume 51 Edition No. 30 |
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| InDIGenous …With Phylmarie Fëss | ||||||
| by Cheryl Hardcastle |
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 This fragrant native plant is Wild Bergamot, not to be confused with Bergamot Citrus that is used in Earl Grey Tea. Wild Bergamot is also confused for Bee Balm. For this reason we refer to it by its Ojibwa name, Sasapkwanins. The Oswego tribes of the New York region introduced this plant to the early settlers who were looking for a replacement for their favoured hot drink that was under political boycott (a.k.a. The Boston Tea Party.) Hence, wild bergamot is also known as Oswego Tea. The plant also has a history of medicinal use but we enjoy it today for it’s beauty and scent. You’ll find it in bloom now. Take a leaf and roll it between your palms to bring the oils to the surface. Now, take a deep whiff of the leaf. Enjoy. You can collect the seeds and plant them this fall for a beautiful native perennial in your garden that needs no fuss. 
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