A new intergeneric orchid hybrid found in Salento (Souther Italy), xSerapicampitis ranaldoae (Anacamptis morio x Serapias neretina)

During an orchidological trip into the Regional Natural Park of Porto Selvaggio and Palude del Capitano on the Ionian coast of Salento (Lecce, Apulia), a hybrid specimen attributed to a cross between two species belonging to two different genera was identified: an intergeneric hybrid of ×Serapicamptis between the genus Anacamptis and the genus Serapias. It was represented by a single specimen in a context of substeppe vegetation on the edge of a reforestation pine forest with Pinus halepensis, in an area close to the sea characterized by the presence of limestone cliffs sloping into the sea. The specimen, robust and luxuriant in appearance, showed intermediate morphological characteristics between Anacamptis morio and the Serapias genus; the similarity of the sizes, the shape of the petals and of the labellum reminded the characters of Serapias neretina which allowed this species to be considered as the second parental unit of the cross. The new hybrid was called ×Serapicamptis ranaldoae from the name of Dr. Filomena Ranaldo, archaeologist and director of the Museum of Prehistory of Nardò, that actively carries out researches at Porto Selvaggio Park and she was the organizer of the orchidological excursion. Based on recently published reports as well as on the basis of this study, the authors highlight a dominant effect of the petal size-shape and hypochile shape traits of Serapias in intergeneric hybrids.