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Species Cards

Clivia nobilis

Green-tip forest lily was the first species of Clivia to be formally described. Specimens were sent to Europe for domestication as early as 1830, playing an important role in the domestication of Clivia as an ornamental plant.

Green-tip forest lily

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Leucocarbo melanogenesis

This species is critically endangered due to reduced breeding success and inhabits a relatively small geographic area. This genome will be used as a reference genome for future conservation genetics work.

Crozet shag

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Austroglanis gilli

This small freshwater catfish is found in only one river system in the world. It is listed by the IUCN as Near Threatened. It grows slowly, reaching maturity at about three years, and is vulnerable to changes in its environment.

Clanwilliam catfish

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Trachyandra ciliata

Trachyandra ciliata is an edible plant, used as a vegetable and cooked in a stew. The flowering stalks are harvested and can be steamed or boiled the same way as asparagus.

Wildeblomkool

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Eriocephalus ericoides

The Gewone Kapokbossie (kapokbossie is Afrikaans for “snow bush”) is one of the essential bushes in a sheep’s diet which is required for producing certified Karoo lamb. It is the most commonly used medicinal plant of its genus.

Gewone Kapokbossie

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Cyclopia longifolia

Cyclopia longifolia is endemic to South Africa. It has historically been used by the Khoi-San for its medicinal properties. Today, it is popular as a herbal infusion and consumed worldwide as a hot or cold beverage.

Honeybush

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Apongeton distachyos

Waterblommetjie flowers and buds are edible and are used to make the traditional South African stew called Waterblommetjie Bredie
(https://pza.sanbi.org/aponogeton-distachyos).

Waterblommetjies

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Trachyandra falcata

Namaqua wild cabbage (Veldkool) is a useful and edible plant in season. The young fleshy inflorescences are boiled with salt and added to meat dishes.

Namaqua wild cabbage

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Cyclopia subternata

Honeybush is endemic to South Africa and has historically been used by the Khoi-San for its medicinal properties. Today, it is popular as an herbal infusion and consumed worldwide as a hot or cold beverage.

Honeybush

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Vachellia sieberiana

Widely spread across Africa, this tree is known for its iconic flat-topped canopy, often depicted in films set in Africa.

Paperbark thorn tree

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Pentzia incana

This species is an important pasture plant in the Karoo. The aromatic compounds in its leaves are thought to contribute to the distinctive flavour of Karoo lamb. It has a unique shallow root system.

Skaapbossie

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Pteronia glauca

This species is an iconic pasture plant of South Africa's dry interior (the Karoo). Its leaves have a pungent yet pleasantly herbal aroma when bruised. This aromatic flavour is associated with the distinctive taste of Karoo lamb.

Boegoekaroo

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