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Group:
Eudicot
Size:
10m
Distribution:
The Giant Quiver Tree is confined to the northwestern part of South Africa and southern part of Namibia. There are three subpopulations, one that occurs in Namibia around Rosh Pinah, a second from the central Richtersveld area, and a third around Eksteenfontein in the southern parts of the Richtersveld. Most of the individuals occur within the AiAis/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
345.06 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
5.63 kilobases
Assembly N50:
492.02 kilobases
Contig number:
49 838
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Assembler used:
Hifiasm
Genome Length:
12.24 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
97.6% [S: 88.2%, D: 9.4%]
BUSCO database:
viridiplantae
Importance:
These plants are valued for their age, resilience, and strong association with the Richtersveld, and are highly sought after for their architectural form, increasing their trade value in arid regions. Populations are declining due to illegal collection, mining-related habitat loss and degradation, and growing human pressure. Prolonged droughts, likely intensified by climate change, have caused mortality and increased baboon predation, posing major ongoing threats.
Sample Contributor contact details:
Mr Thabang Makola
South African National Biodiversity Institute
Date Published:
2026-02-10
Photo credit:
© T. Makola
Flora
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