S. santuingensis was first described as S. nurrica var. santuingensis by Grasso, Orru and Senis in 2008 from the Cagliari
region of southern Sardinia and
is a member of the S. parviflora group of Serapias.
This species is only known from a few coastal and inland eucalyptus 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 full sun, though unlike other species of its genus but as with S. nurrica it is not found in large numbers, growing either as a solitary plant or in very small colonies.
The white margin around the epichile is indicative but not diagnostic as it can be easily confused with fellow endemic S. nurrica, though the two species are seldom if ever found growing in close association. Although natural variation can create similarities, S. santuingensis is generally a taller plant with a greater number of flowers produced in a denser inflorescence. The flower itself is usually a richer red with a longer epichile and a more compressed hypochile.
Its close cousin S. nurrica is an IUCN Red List threatened species which has suffered hugely from tourist development along its favoured coastal habitat, so given its greater rarity and similar environmental requirements it seems obvious that S. santuingensis is similarly threatened. One assumes it is also encumbered with the reputation of possessing a particularly nutritious tuber that produces a high quality salep. The pictures come from south west Sardinia, dating from the third week of April.
This species is only known from a few coastal and inland eucalyptus 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 full sun, though unlike other species of its genus but as with S. nurrica it is not found in large numbers, growing either as a solitary plant or in very small colonies.
The white margin around the epichile is indicative but not diagnostic as it can be easily confused with fellow endemic S. nurrica, though the two species are seldom if ever found growing in close association. Although natural variation can create similarities, S. santuingensis is generally a taller plant with a greater number of flowers produced in a denser inflorescence. The flower itself is usually a richer red with a longer epichile and a more compressed hypochile.
Its close cousin S. nurrica is an IUCN Red List threatened species which has suffered hugely from tourist development along its favoured coastal habitat, so given its greater rarity and similar environmental requirements it seems obvious that S. santuingensis is similarly threatened. One assumes it is also encumbered with the reputation of possessing a particularly nutritious tuber that produces a high quality salep. The pictures come from south west Sardinia, dating from the third week of April.
