S. nurrica was first described by Corrias in 1982 from the Nurra
region of Sardinia and
is a member of the S. parviflora group of Serapias.
This is a species with a restricted Mediterranean range, being recorded only from Sardinia, Corsica, Minorca, Sicily and Calabria, where it is both very local and very rare, particularly so in the last three of these areas. It is a plant that seldom ventures far from the coast and is most commonly found in scrubby garrigue or open pine woods and plantations on acidic soils (see photo 8) It is not particularly sensitive about light conditions, being found in both heavy shade and full sun where it is seldom found in significant numbers, growing either as a solitary plant or in very small colonies.
The white margin of the epichile is not diagnostic as on Sardinia it can be confused with the endemic but rare S. santuingensis. This latter species is however generally more robust with a denser inflorescence and more vividly coloured flowers. Importantly the hypochile is broader and shorter and the epichile marginally narrower and longer. Colouration of S. nurrica is variable and linked to its growing environment, with the the more robust, darker flowered plants, being found in open, full sun positions and the more slender, green tinted specimens confined to woodland habitats with less light penetration.
S. nurrica is an IUCN Red List threatened species which has suffered hugely from tourist development along its favoured coastal habitat, it is also encumbered with the reputation of possessing a particularly nutritious tuber that produces a high quality salep.
This is a species with a restricted Mediterranean range, being recorded only from Sardinia, Corsica, Minorca, Sicily and Calabria, where it is both very local and very rare, particularly so in the last three of these areas. It is a plant that seldom ventures far from the coast and is most commonly found in scrubby garrigue or open pine woods and plantations on acidic soils (see photo 8) It is not particularly sensitive about light conditions, being found in both heavy shade and full sun where it is seldom found in significant numbers, growing either as a solitary plant or in very small colonies.
The white margin of the epichile is not diagnostic as on Sardinia it can be confused with the endemic but rare S. santuingensis. This latter species is however generally more robust with a denser inflorescence and more vividly coloured flowers. Importantly the hypochile is broader and shorter and the epichile marginally narrower and longer. Colouration of S. nurrica is variable and linked to its growing environment, with the the more robust, darker flowered plants, being found in open, full sun positions and the more slender, green tinted specimens confined to woodland habitats with less light penetration.
S. nurrica is an IUCN Red List threatened species which has suffered hugely from tourist development along its favoured coastal habitat, it is also encumbered with the reputation of possessing a particularly nutritious tuber that produces a high quality salep.
