top of page
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 2 m in height
Distribution:
Endemic to the Western Cape Province, occurring from Stanford to Struisbaai in the Agulhas region.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
82.87 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
14.76 kilobases
Assembly N50:
29 718.47 kilobases
Contig number:
1 467
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Assembler used:
Hifiasm
Genome Length:
0.43 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
95.3% [S: 89.2%, D: 6.1%]
BUSCO database:
viridiplantae
Erica plukenetii subsp. lineata
Plukenet's heath
.jpg)
Importance:
Erica plukenetii subsp. lineata is declining due to severe invasion by alien plants on the Agulhas Plain and is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. E. plukenetii is an important nectar source for the Cape Floristic Region endemic orange-breasted sunbird, making it ecologically significant. More broadly, Erica species hold cultural and historical value, with uses in crafts, traditional medicine, and other cultural practices.
Date Published:
2026-03-17
Photo credit:
© P. Strauss
bottom of page