S. ausoniae was first described by Gennaio and Pellegrino from Lecce, Italy in 2021 but it was subsequently demoted to varietal status by Kruetz in 2024. Its name is a reference to the Osci Ausoni people, ancient inhabitants of parts of southern Italy.
Morphologically S. parviflora var. ausoniae differs from the nominate species in its proportions, being larger in all its parts and with flowers as much as 50% bigger than those of S. parviflora. Given that the two taxons invariably grow together the size differential should be apparent. Perhaps the most easily recognized difference however is the bract, which in the variety is both wider and longer. In S. parviflora the bract rarely exceeds the length of the hood whereas in var. ausoniae it is always longer, often by a significant margin. Flower colour is variable and as with type it is prone to anthocyanin deficiency and can appear pale or yellowish. Flowers completely lacking this vascular pigmentation are rare however.
The validity of this taxon as a formally accepted variety was reinforced by a chromosome study which confirmed genetic differences between type and variety, the former being diploid and the latter tetraploid. S. parviflora var. ausoniae has however only been found growing colonially with the nominate race and there would therefore appear to be a sympatric cline underway that may or may not be of evolutionary significance.
Currently it is known only from Apulia but may well be more widespread, at least in southern Italy. The pitures date from the last day of April.
