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

Genome size:

592 million DNA base pairs (0.592 Gigabases)

Size:

2 meters (height)

Distribution:

The distribution extends from the coast of Namaqualand to the Cape Peninsula and eastwards to Port Alfred. In its natural state it grows not far from the sea and is often a common constituent of the vegetation on coastal sand dunes.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

26.03 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

15.76 kilobases

Assembly N50:

TBA

Contig number:

TBA

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Assembler used:

TBA

Genome Length:

0.49 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

99.3% [S:91.3%, D:8.0%]

BUSCO database:

TBA

Salvia africana-lutea

Wild sage

Species Card Details

Importance:

The flowers of this South African endemic plant contain a lot of sweet nectar which attracts bees, butterflies and moths, and acts as an essential food supply for sunbirds, particularly when proteas are not flowering. The plant makes an excellent tea for coughs, colds, bronchitis and related ailments. The leaves are lovely for use in potpourri as they retain their shape, colour and much of their fragrance, and mix well with other ingredients.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Thabang Makola
South African National Biodiversity Institute

Date Published:

2025-01-19

Awaiting DOI

Photo credit:

© T. Makola

bottom of page