Serapias vomeracea

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Serapias vomeracea
Habitus of Serapias vomeracea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Genus: Serapias
Species:
S. vomeracea
Binomial name
Serapias vomeracea
(
Briq.
Synonyms

Serapias vomeracea, common name long-lipped serapias[1] or plow-share serapias[citation needed], is a species of orchid in the genus Serapias.

Etymology

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 (epichile
) reminiscent of a ploughshare.

Description

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 (7.9–15.7 in), with a maximum of 60 centimetres (24 in). 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

hypochile) of the labellum is concave and enclosed in the helmet, with two raised and hairy lateral lobes. The apical portion of the labellum (epichile
) is triangular-lanceolate, usually purple-red and quite hairy. The spur is missing. The flowering period extends from March to June.

Reproduction

Serapias vomeracea is an

anemochory
).

Subspecies

  • Serapias vomeracea (Burm. f.) Briq. subsp. vomeracea
  • Serapias vomeracea (Burm. f.) Briq. subsp. longipetala (Ten.) H. Baumann & Künkele
  • Serapias vomeracea (Burm. f.) Briq. subsp. laxiflora (Soó) 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.[2]

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 (0–3,937 ft) above sea level.

Gallery

  • Plant of Serapias vomeracea
    Plant of Serapias vomeracea
  • Flowers of Serapias vomeracea
    Flowers of Serapias vomeracea
  • Close-up on a flowers of Serapias vomeracea
    Close-up on a flowers of Serapias vomeracea
  • Close-up on a flowers of Serapias vomeracea
    Close-up on a flowers of Serapias vomeracea
  • Leaf of Serapias vomeracea
    Leaf of Serapias vomeracea

References

  1. ^ "Serapias vomeracea (Burm.f.) Briq". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  2. ISBN 0-7136-7525-X
    .
  • G. Pellegrino, D. Gargano, M. E. Noce, A. Musacchio - Reproductive biology and pollinator limitation in a deceptive orchid, Serapias vomeracea (Orchidaceae) - Plant Species Biology - Volume 20, Issue 1, pages 33–39, April 2005
  • Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia (3 voll.) - Edagricole – 1982, Vol. III
  • Tutin, T.G. et al. - Flora Europaea, second edition - 1993

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Serapias_vomeracea&oldid=1213636962"