Serapias species are perennial terrestrial orchids and usually die back after flowering. The plants feature two oval-shaped to ovoid tubers, and the waxy sheathing leaves are usually folded or rounded at the margins. The flowers of all species have a helmetlike structure formed by the union of two sepals and one petal; most are surrounded by a large bract. The long triangular labellum (central flower lip) resembles a tongue and is sometimes hairy.
One species, S. lingua, is commonly known as the tongue orchid. It has a reddish lip, lance-shaped leaves, and a stem up to 30 cm (12 inches) long. The heart-flowered serapias (S. cordigera) has purple flowers with blackish purple lips that often have a tonguelike lobe. S. stenopetala features pale yellow flowers and is endemic to Algeria and Tunisia; the plant is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.