Serapias cordigera - Heart-flowered Serapias - (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.

Serapias cordigera - Heart-flowered Serapias

This member of the Tongue Orchid family is widespread in the Mediterranean region except for some Eastern parts from which it is absent. It is sometimes called the Large Tongue Orchid.

A dark-coloured example of Serapias cordigera

Growing up to 25 cm in height this orchid appears singly or in small groups in the Algarve region of Portugal, but we have seen them in considerable numbers in the Gargano Peninsula area of Italy. The flowers have green-veined sepals and petals which are also marked. The lip is broadly oval at the top and the tip is pointed, and each infloresence can have up to ten flowers although not all open at the same time.

The specimens above were photographed in Portugal on the Algarve in May (top) and on the Gargano Peninsula in Italy in April (bottom).

Watermarked preview (new window) of Photolibrary image OR177f_serapias_cordigera.jpg (Large file)...

Watermarked preview (new window) of Photolibrary image OR178f_serapias_cordigera.jpg (Large file)...