Serapias cannot be confused with any other species of orchid. Identifying them from each other will sometimes be more complex because it is normally necessary to explore their interior. Most species (the most common) are fortunately easily identifiable from their morphological appearance. Doubt will remain when certain species coexist and hybrids may appear.

Essentially Mediterranean, some species are found in the southwest quarter and go up to Vendée. Sporadic appearances are observed elsewhere and notably in the Paris region, but the development remains random and these are rarely viable populations due to the lack of pollinating insects. Nevertheless, serapias develop several tubers and can thus, when conditions are favorable, multiply vegetatively, thus constituting small colonies without having been pollinated.

Depending on the region, flowering will take place from April to June.

Serapias lingua is a species widespread south of a diagonal that goes from Brittany to Nice. Its presence does not of course stop at the French borders.

Few flowers on each foot, a dark pink glabrous labellum and a remarkable dark callus. Size from 10 to 30 cm.