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:

Monocot

Estimated genome size:

Size:

160 mm

Distribution:

Widespread from southern Namibia to the southern part of the Western Cape, in semi-arid regions where it grows on flats and slopes. The plant is summer dormant surviving as a tuber, only appearing in autumn and grows form April to October when the region receives frontal winter rainfall.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

233.71 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

10.03 kilobases

Assembly N50:

3 206.48 kilobases

Contig number:

7610

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Assembler used:

Hifiasm

Genome Length:

10.45 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

99.3% [S: 6.1%, D: 93.2%]

BUSCO database:

viridiplantae

Trachyandra falcata

Namaqua wild cabbage

Species Card Details

Importance:

Namaqua wild cabbage (Veldkool) is a useful and edible plant in season. The young fleshy inflorescences are boiled with salt and added to meat dishes. The local Khoi people ate the young fleshy inflorescence, cooking them like Asparagus shoots (https://pza.sanbi.org/trachyandra-falcata).

Sample Contributor contact details:

Dr Ernst Van Jaarsveld
Babylonstoren Farms

Date Published:

2025-09-22

Photo credit:

© J.-H. Keet

bottom of page