Serapias strictiflora

Appearance

This tongue orchid is a rather spindly plant and grows to around 35cm tall. There are narrow pointed leaves at the base and a few further bracts occur along the stem. The inflorescence is lax and carries up to 5 medium-sized (smaller than S. vomeracea and larger than S. parviflora) flowers which are dark red. The lip is between 15 - 30mm in length and coated in the centre with dense pale hairs. It would be difficult to spot Serapias strictiflora if it were not for the fact that it can occur in large numbers in its preferred habitat. It is similar in appearance to S. gregaria whose name reflects this tendency to grow in dense groups.

Distribution

Serapias strictiflora is common in the Algarve region of Portugal and is also recorded from Morocco, Algeria and Andalucia.

Habitat

The best place to look for this orchid is on grassy roadside verges and in the barrocal away from the coast. It flowers from late March through to the end of April or even early May.