Corynotheca Licrota

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in biology, Corynotheca Licrota (Latin:Corynotheca licrota R.J.F.Hend.) is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Asphodelaceae , subfamily Hemerocallidoideae. The native range of this species is Central & E. Central Australia. It is a perennial or rhizomatous geophyte and grows primarily in the desert or dry shrubland biome.

Tufted, herbaceous or shrub-like, rhizomatous perennial; roots fibrous.

Leaves linear, 5–30(-60) cm long, 2.5–4.1(–9) mm wide, persistent during flowering; lamina flat or complicate.

Inflorescence to 70 cm high; peduncle erect; major branches divergent at 130–160°; lowest branch 10–25 c. from rhizome; racemules ± straight, erect or ascending, 7.5–30 cm long; internodes 4–25 mm long; flowers solitary (rairly paired); lower bracts linear subulate, 4–20 cm long; uppermost bracts 1.5–7 mm long; pedicels 1.2–2.6 mm long. Perianth 4.3–6 mm long, white with pinkish to brown midrib; outer tepals oblong; inner tepals elliptic, emarginate. Stamens with filaments straight, 1.7–2.2 mm long, minutely papillose; anthers 0.5–0.8 mm long.

Capsule pendent, ovoid to obovoid, to 7.5 mm long; seeds 1–5, 2–2.5 mm long, smooth, shallowly pitted or ± wrinkled, ± shiny; caruncle irregular, the lobes free, antler-like.

Flowering: mostly September–February, but also April and August

This species is endemic to Australia and occurs mostly in the arid areas of the country. However, it has been found in all states excepting Tasmania. Three fairly distinct populations have been noted in the central ranges, Murray-Darling Basin and southern SA. Distribution has been tracked along drainage paths of the Darling and lower Murray, which suggests seeds may be carried from Central Australia by the rivers. It is common that C. licrota grows on sandy plains or dunes in low rainfall areas, and often in conjunction with mallee scrub or pine-buloke forests. Corynotheca species are key in their habitat because of the dense shelter they provide invertebrates and small vertebrates and their ability to resprout rapidly after fires.

This species is listed as Endangered in Victoria, Rare in South Australia, Near Threatened in the Northern Territory, of Least Concern in Queensland, Not Threatened in Western Australia, and not currently listed in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. It is not listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Corynotheca lateriflora var. laevisperma Gauba