Long-lipped Tongue Orchid (Serapias vomeracea Burm. f. (Briq))
Etymology
Serapias = after the Greco-Egyptian god of the sun, Serapis.
vomeracea = refers to the shape of the apical portion of the labellum (epichile) reminiscent of the ploughshare of a plough
2020 Kitchener, Mills, Buckingham Johnson and Lemon. A floret of the single plant ...in East Kent (Vc15). Found during a survey by the Kent Recording Group. (Kitchener)
The Plant
Not seen
Stems 15 to 60 cm. (Kuhn).
Leaves
Leaf Edge
No details.
Seeds
No details
Seed Pods
No details
Habitat
The UK plant was in full sun, with associated plants such as glaucous sedge, pyramidal orchid, hedge bedstraw, oxeye daisy, and common fleabane (Kitchener). In Europe grassland, garigue, olive groves, open woodland and damp meadows on calcareous to slightly acid soil (Kuhn).
Distribution in Britain and Ireland
Description
Stems 15 to 60 cm. (Kuhn).
Leaves
Leaf Edge
No details.
Roots
No details
No details
Seeds
No details
Seed Pods
No details
Habitat
The UK plant was in full sun, with associated plants such as glaucous sedge, pyramidal orchid, hedge bedstraw, oxeye daisy, and common fleabane (Kitchener). In Europe grassland, garigue, olive groves, open woodland and damp meadows on calcareous to slightly acid soil (Kuhn).
Mychorrhiza
No data.
Pollination
Allogamous. No details from Britain. In Europe, solitary bees such as Andrena, Anthidium, Ceratina, Eucera and Osmia, have been noted as pollinators, though it seems unlikely that pollination is restricted to these species. In 7 European studies the fruit set ranged from 13 to 74%, with a median of 18% (Claessens and Kleynen). A deceptive orchid, probably attracting insects by scent, but also providing a resting place.
Flowering time
No data.
Pollination
Allogamous. No details from Britain. In Europe, solitary bees such as Andrena, Anthidium, Ceratina, Eucera and Osmia, have been noted as pollinators, though it seems unlikely that pollination is restricted to these species. In 7 European studies the fruit set ranged from 13 to 74%, with a median of 18% (Claessens and Kleynen). A deceptive orchid, probably attracting insects by scent, but also providing a resting place.
Flowering time
In 2020 the plant was in flower on 28 May.
Distribution in Britain and Ireland
One location in East Kent VC15.
Distribution Worldwide
2 subspecies. Subsp. vomeracea: Widespread in the Iberia, and the Mediterranean region from Morocco to the East Aegean Islands, and adjoining warm parts of Europe Subsp. laxiflora is found in Malta, southern Italy, Sicily, Cyprus and parts of Turkey. (Kuhn).
2 subspecies. Subsp. vomeracea: Widespread in the Iberia, and the Mediterranean region from Morocco to the East Aegean Islands, and adjoining warm parts of Europe Subsp. laxiflora is found in Malta, southern Italy, Sicily, Cyprus and parts of Turkey. (Kuhn).
It is a puzzle as to why it has turned up in Kent. Deliberate introduction can probably, but not definitely be ruled out. It could have arrived as seed from southern Europe brought in by trucks using the Channel tunnel.
Hybrids and Recognised Varieties
Hybrids are known in Europe with other Serapias species
References
Claessens and Kleynen: Flower of the European Orchid -Claessens J and Kleynen J 2011
Kitchener: Serapias vomeracea..... first wild record for Britain and Ireland, BSBI News 146 Jan 2021, 7-10
Hybrids and Recognised Varieties
Hybrids are known in Europe with other Serapias species
References
Claessens and Kleynen: Flower of the European Orchid -Claessens J and Kleynen J 2011
Kitchener: Serapias vomeracea..... first wild record for Britain and Ireland, BSBI News 146 Jan 2021, 7-10
Kuhn: Orchids of Europe and the Mediterranean - Kuhn R, Pedersen H A, Cribb P, 2019.
Stace: New Flora off the British Isles - Stace C 4th Edn, 2019
Updated 3.2021
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