The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Bergamot

BERGAMOT, a shrub or small tree, Citrus bergamia (family Rutaceæ). The plant is largely cultivated in southern. Europe, especially Italy, for its green, bitter volatile oil, known as oil or essence of bereamot, which is expressed or distilled from its highly aromatic rind for use in perfumery. The name is also applied, mainly in Europe, to many varieties of pears and in both Europe and America to several species of the family Menthaceæ; for example, Mentha aquatica (Europe), Monarda didyma and M. fistulosa (America). The name seems to be a corruption of the Turkish beg armūdi, a lord's pear.