Serapias cordigera, 1763

D. M. Moore (ed.), 1980, CCIII Orchidaceae, Flora Europaea, Vol 5: Alismataceae to Orchidaceae, Camebridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 325-350 : 343

1. S. cordigera L. ,

Sp. PI. ed. 2, 1345 (1763).

Tubers 2-3, 1 sessile, the other(s) on stolons, ovoid to globose. Stem 15-50 cm, with purplish, usually spotted basal sheaths. Spike short, ovoid, dense, 2- to 10-flowered; bracts shorter than flowers, purplish. Flowers 20-35 mm; outer perianth-segments subequal, ovate- lanceolate, acuminate, free at apex, purple, rarely white; inner lateral about as long as the outer. Labellum twice as long as the other segments, with two deep purple to black divergent ridges at base; lateral lobes purplish-black, rarely pink or white, rounded, partly hidden by galea; epichile as wide as hypochile, acuminate, hairy, reddish-purple, with darker veins, rarely yellowish. 2n = 36.

Open woodland and scrub, grassland and stream-margins.

S. & W. Europe, northwards to N. W. France. Al Au Az B 1 Co Ga Gr Hs It Ju Lu Sa Si Tu.