A new hybrid of Salento (Southern Italy), Serapias xGussonei: Serapias xdemadesii (S. Bergonii x S. Lingua) x Serapias parviflora

Abstract

During a periodic survey carried out in 2023 for the study of the orchidological component of the surrounding areas of Lecce, an entity belonging to the genus Serapias was found at the stagno di Acquatina (hamlet of Frigole in the municipality of Lecce, Province of Lecce), that has been identified as a new hybrid resulting from a cross between Serapias ×demadesii (hybrid between S. bergonii and S. lingua) and Serapias parviflora. The new hybrid was represented by a unique specimen in an environmental context represented by an atypical garrigue environment in a damp area, due to the presence of widespread small freshwater springs, with extensive outcrops of limestone rock and rich shrubby vegetation. The specimen showed characteristics of S. ×demadesii, mainly as regards the shape of the labellum and some other floral segments, with strong influence of S. bergonii and S. lingua; the special shape of the petals and other characters of taxonomic importance have made it possible to trace the second parent represented by S. parviflora. The presence of the new hybrid close to a small population of S. ×demadesii, the state of sympatry with this and with S. parviflora, as well as the overlap of their flowering periods favored the parental attribution; a detail that took on significant importance was represented by the bright yellow colour of the pollinodes, that in the new hybrid took on a dominant character due to the dual influence of S. lingua and S. parviflora, both characterized by bright yellow pollen masses. Finally, further correlation to S. parviflora derives from the state of the pollen grains which do not always appear well aggregated, resulting as a specific characteristic of S. parviflora. Overall, these clues take on great importance in this discovery which is the first case, to our knowledge, of a ternary hybrid in the genus. Serapias.