S. siciliensis was first described from Caltanissetta, Sicily by Bartolo and Pulvirenti as S. orientalis var. siciliensis in 1972 and its name refers to the Mediterranean island of Sicily. 

It has a narrow distribution limited to the south of Sicily although similar plants are also known from southern peninsular Italy but whose correct status is still to be confirmed. S. siciliensis is a somewhat variable species which although readily identifiable in its typical form (as depicted opposite) can often exhibit detail differences which bring it morphologically close to S. vomeracea. The suspicion is course that as is so common with the Serapias family, inter-specific hybridization and introgression has occured. Pictures two and six depict examples which portray features intermediate between S. siciliensis and S. vomeracea.

S. siciliensis occurs only in the south of the island and is recognizably a member of the S. orientalis group of Serapias with a relatively stout appearance but with a compact inflorescence of few flowers, normally between three and six individuals condensed up the stem. The epichile is broad, downward pointing (rarely recurved) and extremely hairy at the junction of epichile and hypochile. Colouration is dark red to lighter brown but the species can exhibit anthocyanin deficiency albeit not as commonly as its eastern relative, The bract length varies from being equal to hood length to marginally longer. Although not illustrated in these photographs, the leaves are generally larger than in S. orientalis and form a rosette at the base from which rise sheathing leaves that usually reach the lowermost flowers.

The pictures are all from southern Sicily and date from the beginning of April.