The Serapias orchid

01 September 2020
Biodiversity of the pseudo-steppe in the Park of Coastal Dunes: the Serapis orchid
Overview

The Regional Natural Park of Coastal Dunes 'from Torre Canne to Torre S. Leonardo' in Puglia is rich in hidden biodiversity on which LASPEH project aims to raise awareness. 

Particularly, "Sub-steppe paths of grasses and annual plants of Thero-Brachypodietea (* 6220)" is a priority habitat, based on Directive 92/43 / EEC Habitat, included into the Park of Coastal Dunes and subject to enhancement of the LASPEH project.

Between the months of April and June, in this habitat it is possible to observe wild and endemic orchids of particular beauty: the Serapis of Politisii and the Anacamptis pyramidalis of the Orchidaceae family. The Serapis di Politis can be found only in Puglia and it is a nationally protected species.

Its name originates from the Greek-Egyptian divinity Serapis, whose cult was introduced in Alexandria in Egypt around 300 b.C.

Even if it does not produce nectar, this plant attracts for its colors and smells hymenoptera such as bees, and beetles, which use the tepalic helmet (union of petals and sepals) as a refuge for the night and against the rain and have the possibility of sprinkling of pollen that they will subsequently deposit in other flowers, fertilizing them.