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 where it has suffered hugely from tourist development in its favoured coastal habitat. 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. 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 small colonies.
The white margin of the epichile is not diagnostic as in Sardinia it can be confused with the endemic but rare S. nurrica var. santuingensis. This latter variety is principally distinguished by its longer and narrower hypochile and the epichile which appears more compressed. The final photo depicts the varietal form which serves as a comparison. Colouration of both taxons is variable and seems in part linked to its 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.
S. nurrica is an IUCN Red List threatened species which is also encumbered with the reputation of possessing a particularly nutritious tuber that produces a high quality salep.
