A Surprise Serapias Sprout in the Garden

[MateoinLosAngeles]

My mom just sent me this photo of a wild flower that sprouted three years ago in her backyard garden in Asturias, coastal Northern Spain. She didn’t know what it was and decided to just let it be when she noticed it wasn’t a normal “weed.” She sent me a photo today because someone told her it was an orchid! Serapias and Ophrys are very common in this region, not sure which Serapias it might be though! cordigera, lingua, parviflora, and vomeracea are all common.

[WaterWitchin]

Well, that's really fun!

[Louis_W]

Cool! I lived down in Extremadura for a little while and saw Serapias down there too! I must say, Asturias was probably my favorite place in Spain. So beautiful!

[Roberta]

It looks a lot like S. cordigera - flowers quite a bit larger than S. lingua, with fuzzy lip. Nice!

[MateoinLosAngeles]

The last photo was uploaded from my phone, uploading from computer now. I think with better quality!

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Originally Posted by Louis_W

Cool! I lived down in Extremadura for a little while and saw Serapias down there too! I must say, Asturias was probably my favorite place in Spain. So beautiful!

It is, isn't it! I feel biased because I'm from there but it's quite a stunning region, I hiked all over those green, humid forests as a kid!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by MateoinLosAngeles

The last photo was uploaded from my phone, uploading from computer now. I think with better quality!

I definitely vote for Serapias cordigera.

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I definitely vote for Serapias cordigera.

I think so, too. It makes me want to steal some soil and bring it to the US for my potted plants!

Hopefully, these keep multiplying, as to not disturb them, not sure what the regulation re: wild orchids is in my region but I assume I can dig out anything growing inside private property. Especially given that S. cordigera is not a threatened species.

A different thing would be bringing it to the US, would either need a CITES permit or hide them well in my luggage... I don't even think the soil would be permitted either way.

[estación seca]

Soil is not permitted entry at all. Orchids require CITES export permits from the country of origin and a CITES import permit from the US. Don't try to smuggle it. The penalty is up to fifty thousand dollars per plant.

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Soil is not permitted entry at all. Orchids require CITES export permits from the country of origin and a CITES import permit from the US. Don't try to smuggle it. The penalty is up to fifty thousand dollars per plant.

Not worth the risk!!!!

Edit:

Apparently, there might be a CITES exception for houseplants for residents of both countries (I am) as long as the imported plant is not destined for sale but as a personal belonging and does need CITES export from Spain. And regarding soil, it must be sterilized at the port of entry if under 3lb which would make the import worthless. But there's a permit that allows for a certain amount of soil to be transferred to extract microorganism.

Probably all very complicated for a plant that can still be bought at certain vendors, but if this little colony starts to spread I might consider getting CITES import/export permits to bring some in the future, depending on the cost. Serapias isn't the most beautiful orchid, but I've seen Ophrys apifera growing near my house in Spain, but never on my property; crossing my fingers, it decides to colonize our garden someday.