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Group:

Moncot

Estimated genome size:

50 to 100 cm in height

Size:

50 to 100 cm in height

Distribution:

Endemic to South Africa, the Miracle Clivia Lily is known to occur in the Oorlogskloof area near the town of Nieuwoudtville in the Northern Cape. The species has only been recorded in the Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve, where two subpopulations are found on the Bokkeveldberge plateau.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

426.45 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

12.38 kilobases

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Genome Length:

15.12 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

99.3% [S: 69.9%, D: 29.4%]

Importance:

Clivia mirabilis survives in an unusually arid environment compared with other Clivia species, which is why it is known as the “miracle lily”. Its distinctive hardiness has made it desirable for breeders seeking to improve ornamental Clivia lines. However, heavy illegal poaching has removed thousands of plants from the wild. This leaves the remaining population dangerously small and at risk of extinction in its natural habitat.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Felix Middleton
Clivia Society of South Africa

Group:

Eudicot

Estimated genome size:

Size:

Up to 25 meters tall

Distribution:

Celtis africana occurs in large parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. It grows in a wide variety of habitats from forest and coastal bush to bushveld, mountain gorges and open country, typically savanna. Its range extends from the Western Cape, South Africa, eastwards and northwards around the southern African coastline, extending inland in the warmer, wetter regions, and further north into Ethiopia and the Arabian peninsula.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

49.39 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

31.01 kilobases

Assembly N50:

45 733.9 kilobases

Contig number:

655

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Assembler used:

Hifiasm

Genome Length:

0.48 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

99.3% [S: 99.1%, D: 0.2%]

BUSCO database:

viridiplantae

Celtis africana

White stinkwood/Witstinkhout

Species Card Details

Importance:

The fruit and seeds of the white stinkwood (witstinkhout in Afrikaans) are consumed by various animals, including baboons, monkeys, doves, parrots, louries, thrushes, bulbuls, and weavers. The wood has traditionally been used as a timber to manufacture a variety of household articles. Several related Celtis species have been introduced to South Africa and can be mistaken for the white stinkwood. These species are planted as shade trees in gardens and parks but also invade riverbanks and urban spaces. They can hybridize with the white stinkwood, highlighting the need for conservation.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Dr Renée Prins
CenGen (Pty) Ltd

Date Published:

2025-10-28

Photo credit:

© D. Venter

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