Long-lipped Serapias

Appearance

"Serapias vomeracea" is an herbaceous perennial plant with two ovoidal underground tubers. This species is highly variable in color and shape. It reaches a height of 20–40 centimetres, with a maximum of 60 centimetres. The stem is green, with two membranous basal leaves and 6-8 upper leaves, lanceolate and glossy green or reddish.

The inflorescence is composed by a narrow and elongated spike, with three to ten flowers. The relevant bracts are lanceolate and much longer than the tepals. Their color is red-purple, with darker longitudinal venation. The outer tepals are lanceolate and erect, forming an helmet-like structure. Their color is purple-red or pinkish, with veins of darker color. The internal lateral tepals are brownish-purple and almost entirely hidden by the helmet.

The labellum is brick red, trilobed and larger than the other tepals. The basal portion of the labellum is concave and enclosed in the helmet, with two raised and hairy lateral lobes. The apical portion of the labellum is triangular-lanceolate, usually purple-red and quite hairy. The spur is missing. The flowering period extends from March to June.

Naming

The name "Serapias" of the genus derives from the Greek "Sarapis", the Graeco-Egyptian god, already used in ancient times to name some orchids. The Latin name "vomeracea" of this species refers to the shape of the apical portion of the labellum reminiscent of a ploughshare.* "Serapias vomeracea" Briq. subsp. "vomeracea"
⤷  "Serapias vomeracea" Briq. subsp. "longipetala" H. Baumann & Künkele
⤷  "Serapias vomeracea" Briq. subsp. "laxiflora" Gölz & H.R. Reinhard

Distribution

The species has a Mediterranean- Atlantic distribution from Charente in the north and is widespread from south-central Europe, the Mediterranean Basin to Cyprus.

Habitat

This orchid prefers dry and wet meadows, pastures, thickets, clearings and scrubland, frequently on clayey substrate, from full light to partial shade, at an altitude of 0–1,200 metres above sea level.

Reproduction

"Serapias vomeracea" is an entomophilous plant, but cannot offer floral rewards to pollinators as it does not produce nectar. Therefore, pollinators are just attracted by the shape of the flower, forming a small tube used by insects to rest by night or as a refuge against the rain. In this process pollen gets stuck to the pollinators' bodies. Once they leave their shelter, they will deposit the pollen on other flowers and fertilize them. These orchids are mainly pollinated by some beetles and by bees. Seeds are dispersed by the wind.