Serapias bergonii - Bergon's Tongue-orchid

Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Liliopsida - Order: Orchidales - Family: Orchidaceae

Serapias bergonii photographed in Rhodes in April

Serapias begonii is closely related to Serapias vomeracea and there is much confusion in accurately identifying and separating the two species. They sometimes appear in the same areas where there is apparent hybridisation between the two.

Description

Serapias bergonii is a more slender plant than Serapias vomeracea and grows to around 50cm tall. The leaves form around the base of the stem and are erect, narrow, pointed and sometimes streaked red. There are further bract-like leaves along the stem. The inflorescence is lax and carries up to 12 large flowers with lips which extend up to 30mm in length and are hairy in the centre. The colour of the flowers is variable but they are rather more colourful than other tongue orchids, sometimes with golden yellow centres.

The flowers of Serapias bergonii are brightly coloured compared to other tongue orchids

Distribution

Serapias bergonii is found mainly in the Eastern Mediterranean region and can occur in large numbers. The exact range is unknown due to confusion with other similar-looking orchids, especially Serapias vomeracea and Serapias orientalis.

Habitat

This orchid is tolerant of a number of habitats and grows in garrigue, coastal locations and short grasslands.

Flowering times

Serapias bergonii usually flowers from mid-April onwards.

The plants shown on this page were photographed in the Rhodes.

Etymology

The genus name Serapias comes from the Graeco-Egyptian god Serapis, while the specific epithet bergonii honours the French botanist, Monsieur P Bergon.

Reference sources

The Plant List

Pierre Delforge (2005) Orchids of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East; A&C Black

Chris Thorogood (2019) Field Guide to the Wildflowers of the Eastern Mediterranean, Kew Publishing