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Small-flowered Tongue Orchid
Height: 10-40cm
Colour: Brownish/Red, Violet/Red or Greenish/Yellow
Flowering: March to June
Soil type: Alkaline to slightly acidic
The flowers of this species are small and positioned closely to the scape. The base of each flower is sheathed by a bract that is the same colour as the sepals with dark veining. The two upper petals are hidden inside the long hood formed by the sepals. The lip is a darker shade, normally reddish-brown or violet-red. The two side lobes which are lifted upwards are hidden within the tube formed by the sepals. The main central lobe is hairy, narrow and drops downwards or sometimes curls back. If you look inside the flower tube there are two purple/black lumps inside.
This species of orchid can be found in a wide range of habitats from full sun to partial shade in wet meadows to dry olive groves, garrigue, scrubland and woodland clearings to an altitude of 1200m. Synonyms: Serapias occultta, Serapias elongate, Serapias mascaensis These images of orchids were taken in Southern Spain, many terrestrial species are widespread from the Iberian peninsular eastwards through the Mediterranean region.
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