top of page
Group:
Eudicot
Estimated genome size:
1.5 m
Size:
1.5 m
Distribution:
Maiden's Quiver Tree is restricted to desert mountainsides and arid ravines in South Africa (Richtersveld of the Northern Cape) and southern Namibia. Its distribution is concentrated within the Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
379.51 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
12.36 kilobases
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Genome Length:
11.21 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
99.9% [S: 92.7%, D: 6.8%]
Importance:
Aloidendron ramosissimum is threatened by plant theft, overgrazing, and ongoing habitat degradation. Its slow growth and low resilience mean disturbances, drought, and increased grazing pressure have long-term impacts, especially on juvenile survival. Climate change and possible mining activities are expected to further reduce its suitable habitat.
Sample Contributor contact details:
Thabang Makola
South African Biodiversity Institute
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
.jpg)
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).
Date Published:
2025-09-22
Photo credit:
© J.-H. Keet
bottom of page