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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:
1-3.5 meters
Distribution:
This species occurs in the Northern Cape where it is found in Pella and Steinkopf and extends to southern Namibia where it occurs from Rosh Pinah to near Goodhouse.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
66.68 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
23.13 kilobases
Assembly N50:
87 860.79 kilobases
Contig number:
539
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Assembler used:
Hifiasm
Genome Length:
0.91 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
98.8% [S: 96.0%, D: 2.8%]
BUSCO database:
viridiplantae
Pachypodium namaquanum
Halfmens
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Importance:
These trees are said in Nama folklore to be people turned into plants, forever facing north toward their lost homeland. Pachypodium namaquanum is highly poisonous and difficult to grow outside the Richtersveld. Though seeds germinate easily, it rarely survives in cultivation and is legally protected, making it rare in gardens.
Sample Contributor contact details:
Thabang Makola
South African National Biodiversity Institute
Date Published:
2026-02-16
Photo credit:
© T Makola
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