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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:

Monocot

Genome size:

739 million DNA base pairs (0.74 Gigabases)

Size:

Up to 2 meters in height

Distribution:

Strelitzia alba has a restricted range, occurring along South Africa's Garden Route in the coastal forests of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape. It thrives in evergreen forests, gorges, and river slopes.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

39.29 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

5.04 kilobases

Assembly N50:

TBA

Contig number:

TBA

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Assembler used:

TBA

Genome Length:

530.29 million bases (0.53 Gigabases)

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

99.2% [S: 58.4%, D: 40.8%]

BUSCO database:

TBA

Strelitzia alba

Cape wild banana

Species Card Details

Importance:

The white-flowered wild banana or Cape wild banana is a striking plant endemic to South Africa's Garden Route. It plays an important ecological role in its forest habitat. Although classified as not endangered, wild populations face pressure from harvesting seeds and side shoots for cultivation. Its distinctive white flowers make it a sought-after species, contributing to its commercial and conservation significance.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Prof. Eshchar Mizrachi
University of Pretoria

Date Published:

2025-02-17

Awaiting DOI

Photo credit:

© G.J. Mann

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