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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:

Eudicot

Estimated genome size:

Size:

12 m (height)

Distribution:

The pepper bark thorn tree is found in woodland, wooded grassland and along riverbanks in South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, northern and eastern Botswana, northern Namibia and tropical Africa north to Ethiopia.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

56.59 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

9.28 kilobases

Assembly N50:

16 534 kilobases

Contig number:

912

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Assembler used:

Hifiasm

Genome Length:

1.36 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

99.5% [S: 2.8%, D: 96.7%]

BUSCO database:

viridiplantae

Vachellia sieberiana

Paperbark thorn tree

Species Card Details

Importance:

Widely spread across Africa, this tree is known for its iconic flat-topped canopy, often depicted in films set in Africa. In Central Africa, a bark/root decoction treats urinary inflammation, while leaves, bark, and resin serve as astringents for colds, chest issues, diarrhea, hemorrhages, and eye inflammation. In Tanzania, bark is used for gonorrhea treatment. The edible gum acts as a strong adhesive, and twine from the inner bark is used for threading beads.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Renée Prins
CenGen

Date Published:

2025-08-27

Photo credit:

© K. Campbell

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