Serapias uxentina was first described as Serapias apulica subsp. uxentina from Lecce, southern Italy by Gennaio in 2017 and is a reference to the Latin named, ancient town of Uxentum, now Ugento in the province of Lecce. It was promoted to full species status as Serapias uxentina by Biagioli, Kreutz, Gennaio and De Simoni in 2022.

This orchid has many characteristics in common with S. apulica but is generally a taller more robust species with a larger number of flowers. The biggest differentiator however, is the length of the bracts which although varying greatly, are always significantly longer than the hood. The examples depicted here exhibited bracts that were in excess of 100mm but specimens have been recorded at nearly double this length. It was first discovered in a coastal national park to the south of Ugento but has since been found at other locations in the Salento peninsula and not least the notable but fast disappearing orchid habitat between Lecce and San Cataldo.

S. uxentina has been found in several differing habitats but seems to favour coastal sites with sandy substrates, most notably dunes. It often grows in association with moisture loving annual plants on ground that is liable to regular drying out cycles. Flowering occurs from late April through to June but this is very much dependent on favourable weather conditions, particularly rainfall levels over the late winter and Spring periods.

The pictures are from an area just to the west of San Cataldo near Lecce, dating from the 9th of May at which time they were just opening.