Chromosome-level assembly of the 400-year-old Goethe’s Palm (Chamaerops humilis L.)

The rapid decline in global biodiversity highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts, with botanical gardens playing a crucial role in ex situ plant preservation. Monumental plants, such as the 400-year-old Goethe’s Palm (Chamaerops humilis L.) at the Padua Botanical Garden serve as vital flagship species with significant ecological and cultural value. In this study, we present the first chromosome-level genome assembly of C. humilis, using PacBio HiFi and Arima Hi-C sequencing technologies. The assembled genome spans 4.41 Gbp with a scaffold N50 length of 195 Mbp and it includes 18 pseudo-chromosomes. Repetitive elements constituted approximately 88% of the genome, with Long Terminal Repeats (LTR) alone comprising 63%. A total of 28,321 protein-coding genes were predicted and annotated. The Goethe’s Palm genome assembly is a valuable resource for exploring both its cultural and historical significance, as well as the genetic basis of adaptive traits that allow this palm to thrive in Mediterranean environments.