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.