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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
Estimated genome size:
Size:
0.5 m in height
Distribution:
The shores of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
227.85 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
13.26 kilobases
Assembly N50:
8 949.62 kilobases
Contig number:
3 107
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Assembler used:
Hifiasm
Genome Length:
10.54 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
99.5% [S: 11.3%, D: 88.0%]
BUSCO database:
viridiplantae
Thinopyrum distichum
Coastal Wheatgrass
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Importance:
It is the sole species of the genus that occurs in the Southern Hemisphere. It is a wild relative of bread wheat and is a halophyte. If the genes conferring its ability to tolerate high levels of soil salinity can be transferred to commercial wheat, it has the potential to expand wheat production and increase food security.
Date Published:
2025-08-27
Photo credit:
© D. Richardson
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