This is undoubtedly the most frequently encountered Serapias in the eastern Mediterranean and would
perhaps also qualify as the most common of all genera of orchid within its range. Its surprising therefore
that the plant has only been known as a distinct species/subspecies for just over a century, having first
been described from Corfu in 1908 and named after the French botanist Monsieur P Bergon.
Much of its recorded existence has been spent as a subspecies to either cordigera or later vomeracea
and in both cases as ssp laxiflora. There are a number of authorities who remain sceptical about
bergonii's full species status and its to be conceded that differentiation can be all but impossible in
some populations.
This is undoubtedly due in no small part to hybridization which has over the years created large numbers
of intermediate's but even where colonies seem free from genetic interference, variation can be significant.
It is notable that bergonii seems far more prone to hypochromy and along with orientalis also shows
a predisposition towards very pale, often yellowish colouration.
The type bergonii is generally shorter than vomeracea and less robust but probably the key feature
which distinguishes the two is the length of the bracts relative to the hood. In this species the height of the
bract is no more than twice that of the hood whereas in vomeracea the relationship is more like three
times and creates an impression of many church spires rising from a town skyline. This is most apparent in
younger plants but becomes less obvious in older, taller specimens.
The illustrations here are from Gargano, Attica, Lesbos, Chios and Crete.
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