top of page

Group:

Eudicot

Estimated genome size:

1.5 m in height

Size:

1.5 m in height

Distribution:

Brunia noduliflora occurs from the Cederberg southwards to the Cape Peninsula and eastwards as far as the Cockscomb in the Groot Winterhoek Mountains of the Eastern Cape, at altitudes from near sea level to approximately 1 500 m.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

39.88 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

16.91 kilobases

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Genome Length:

0.72 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

97.40% [S: 47.0%, D: 50.0%]

Importance:

Brunia noduliflora is the most widespread species in the subgenus Brunia and occurs across diverse fynbos habitats in the Cape Floristic Region. Its broad ecological range makes it valuable for studying diversification and adaptation within the Bruniaceae.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Leanne Dreyer
Stellenbosch University

Group:

Monocot

Estimated genome size:

Size:

1 m in height

Distribution:

Pearson's Aloe is highly localised, occurring in the north-western corner of South Africa and the southern parts of Namibia in the Lüderitz district. It has a narrow distribution that is limited to the area between Kuboes in the South African Richtersveld National Park and the mining town of Rosh Pinah in southern Namibia. Its distribution falls within, and contributes to the biodiversity of, the Gariep Centre of Plant Endemism.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

343.01 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

9.07 kilobases

Assembly N50:

1 121.75 kilobases

Contig number:

27 313

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Assembler used:

Hifiasm

Genome Length:

13.56 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

98.1% [S: 86.8%, D: 11.3%]

BUSCO database:

viridiplantae

Aloe pearsonii

Pearson's Aloe

Species Card Details

Importance:

Rising temperatures and prolonged drought in the Richtersveld (2015–2020) caused major die-offs of Pearson's Aloe, which has very low recruitment and grows extremely slowly. Overgrazing has intensified the decline, as livestock and wildlife now feed on this species due to the scarcity of other plants. Although valued medicinally and horticulturally, it remains difficult to cultivate.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Thabang Makola
South African National Biodiversity Institute

Date Published:

2026-03-25

Photo credit:

© T Makola

Flora

bottom of page