This species is only known from a few coastal and inland forests to the north of Sardinia's capital city of Cagliari where it is both very local and very rare. Although a forest dweller it is not particularly sensitive about light conditions, being found in both heavy shade and in open sunny glades. This variety can be found growing alongside S. nurrica itself but neither taxon is normally found in large numbers, growing either as a solitary plants or in small colonies.
The white margin around the epichile is indicative but not diagnostic as it is exhibited by both species and variety. Differentiating the two morphologically can be difficult and perhaps the most reliable distinguishing feature is that the epichile in S. nurrica var. santuingensis is significantly longer and narrower with a more compressed hypochile. It has been described as a taller plant, with a denser inflorescence and more richly coloured flowers but in the authors experience this is not a reliable differentiator. Flowers can vary from vivid red, frequently orange/brown to yellow and number from five to ten.
S. nurrica is an IUCN Red List threatened species which has suffered huge declines due to tourist development along its favoured coastal habitat. It is also encumbered with the reputation of possessing a particularly nutritious tuber producing a high quality salep. The final picture is S. nurrica and serves as a comparison to var. santuingensis. The pictures come from south west Sardinia, dating from the third week of April.
