S. longipetala was first described by Pollini in 1824 but as S. vomeracea subsp. longipetala by Baumann and Kunkele in 1989. It was subsequently promoted to full species status by Kreutz.

Its distribution is a matter of open discussion as although S. vomeracea was once thought to occur from the lower Alpine regions of Switzerland, southern France, the Iberian peninsula and throughout the Mediterranean as far east as Cyprus, the recognition of S. longipetala as a widespread south eastern Mediterranean taxon has greatly restricted its probable range. Although not a view held by all, new thinking suggests that in the south of peninsula Italy (not including Sicily), southern Croatia, Albania and Greece, S. vomeracea is replaced by S. longipetala, previously regarded as simply a subspecies of S. vomeracea. Some still to prefer to regard the taxon as merely a geotype.

There is no doubt that S. longipetala, whether accepted as a species, subspecies or geotype, it can be visibly differentiated from type and is the prevailing taxon in the south eastern Mediterranean. It shares with S. vomeracea the significantly long bracts but is a more delicate plant with fewer flowers (commonly only two), is smaller in stature and with a narrower often longer epichile. The epichile is usually a shade or two lighter red than in S. vomeracea and frequently yellow or orange tinted.

S. longipetala requires exactly the same habitat conditions as S. vomeracea, namely phrygana, wasteland, abandoned terraces and scrub on primarily dry, alkaline substrates. It will tolerate moist but not wet soils and accept a degree of shade in open woodland. The pictures come from the the Greek mainland and Aegean islands of Lesbos, Chios and Rhodes, dating from the middle of April.