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Species Card Details

Cyclopia maculata

Honeybush

Species Card Photograph

Group:

Eudicot

Size:

0.5 to 3.5 meters

Distribution:

Distributed from Bainskloof to Riversdale, Western Cape.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

75.31 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

12.1 kilobases

Assembly N50:

6 633.75 kilobases

Contig number:

957

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Assembler used:

Hifiasm

Genome Length:

1.95 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

99.3% [S: 6.6%, D: 92.7%]

BUSCO database:

viridiplantae

Importance:

Cyclopia maculata is endemic to South Africa and has historically been used by the Khoi-San for its medicinal properties. Today, it is popular as a herbal infusion and consumed locally as a beverage. This species is an important source of income in rural areas especially the Overberg region. Research has identified various health properties and benefits, but its full medicinal value is still largely underutilised.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Dr Cecilia Bester
Agricultural Research Council

Date Published:

2025-10-28

Photo credit:

© M. Joubert

Flora

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