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Phylum:

Ascomycota

Estimated genome size:

Flamentous fungus

Organism size:

Flamentous fungus

Distribution:

South Africa, Australia and the USA.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

1.64 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

1.88 kilobases

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Genome Length:

0.04 Gigabases (36.66 million bases)

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

98.9% [S: 98.8%, D: 0%]

Importance:

The species was recently described, isolated from South Africa.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Cobus Visagie
Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute
University of Pretoria

Phylum:

Angiosperms

Estimated genome size:

2280 million DNA base pairs (2.28 Gigabases)

Organism size:

2 meters (height)

Distribution:

Agathosma betulina has a restricted natural distribution area in the Western Cape. It is found on mountain slopes near Niewoudtville, Piketberg and Tulbagh and in the Cederberg Mountains.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

33.26 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

14.6 kilobases

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Genome Length:

0.55 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

99.3% [S:82.2%, D:11.1%]

Agathosma betulina

Bergboegoe

Species Card Details

Importance:

Wild plants of this species are still plentiful but are being harvested faster than they can reproduce, posing a threat to the species' survival. This has led to efforts to cultivate them. The plant has been used by the indigenous people of South Africa as a folk remedy for various disorders, including urinary tract infections. The essential oils and extracts of the leaves are used as flavouring for teas, candy, and a liquor known as buchu brandy in South Africa. The two primary chemical constituents of the oils of A. betulina are isomenthone and diosphenol. The extract is said to taste like blackcurrant.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Louisa Blomerus
Agricultural Research Council

Date Published:

2025-01-19

Awaiting DOI

Photo credit:

© L. Blomerus

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