Serapias cordigera - Heart-flowered Serapias
Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Liliopsida - Order: Orchidales - Family: Orchidaceae
This is one of the more easily recognised species of Tongue Orchids that are widespread in the Mediterranean and Atlantic countries of southern Europe. The colour can vary from orange to deep red, but the distinguishing factor is the broad, heart-shaped lip from which the flower gets its common name.
Description
Growing up to 25 cm in height this orchid appears singly or in small groups. At the base of the plant there are up to 9 pointed leaves with smaller bracts clasping the stem higher up. Each inflorescence carries up to 10 large flowers which have green-veined sepals and petals. The lip is broadly oval at the base and coated with dense dark hairs. There is dark veining running vertically downwards to the tip which is pointed. The flowers vary greatly in colour from dark red to pale orange.
Distribution
Heart-flowered Tongue Orchid is localised and occurs in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions of Europe. It is widespread in the Algarve region of Portugal and occurs in large numbers on the Gargano Peninsula in Italy where it grows on limestone pavement. It also grows east to Greece but is probably replaced by Serapias orientalis in the Aegean.
Habitat
This orchid grows on damp and mildly acidic substrates but also tolerates calcareous substrates. It can be found in open woodland and on abandoned farmland and old olive groves.
The specimens above were photographed in Portugal on the Algarve in May and on the Gargano Peninsula in Italy in April. We found a lovely colony of Heart-flowered Tongue Orchids in mid May at Saint-Jean de Luz, in the far south-west corner of France - see picture below:
Flowering times
April and May.
Etymology
The genus name Serapias comes from the Graeco-Egyptian god Serapis, while the specific epithet cordigera means 'wearing a heart'- obviously on its flower lip!
Reference sources
The Plant List
Sue Parker (2023) Wild Orchids of the Algarve - where, when and how to find them; First Nature e-book (Amazon Kindle format)
Chris Thorogood and Simon Hiscock (2014) Field Guide to the Wildflowers of the Algarve; Kew Publishing
Pierre Delforge (2005) Orchids of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East; A&C Black
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