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Phylum:

Ascomycota

Estimated genome size:

Flamentous fungus

Organism size:

Flamentous fungus

Distribution:

South Africa, Australia and the USA.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

1.64 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

1.88 kilobases

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Genome Length:

0.04 Gigabases (36.66 million bases)

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

98.9% [S: 98.8%, D: 0%]

Importance:

The species was recently described, isolated from South Africa.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Cobus Visagie
Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute
University of Pretoria

Phylum:

Tracheophyta

Estimated genome size:

700 million DNA base pairs (0.7 Gigabases)

Organism size:

2.2 – 4 meters in height

Distribution:

The Karoo num-num occurs in wooded areas, extending from the southwestern Western Cape along the coast through the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, into the Free State, Gauteng, and the northern provinces. Its range also includes Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, and Namibia, with sporadic occurrences as far north as Kenya. Its leaves and thorns exhibit marked variation across its distribution.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

57.27 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

8.05 kilobases

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Genome Length:

0.43 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

98.4% [S: 90.4%, D: 8.0%]

Carrisa bispinosa

Karroo Num-num

Species Card Details

Importance:

Karoo Num-nums are evergreen and provide food and shelter for a wide range of wildlife. They are wind resistant and moderately drought-tolerant, but susceptible to frost. They are cultivated for ornamental use as shrubs and hedges with starry white flowers and bright red edible fruit. The roots have been used medicinally to treat toothache. The num-num is also used in traditional Swazi ceremonies.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Thabang Makola
South African National Biodiversity Institute

Date Published:

2025-03-12

Awaiting DOI

Photo credit:

© T. Makola

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