The complete chloroplast genome of Hemiboea pterocaulis (Gesneriaceae) exclusively distributed in Guilin, Guangxi, China.

Hemiboea pterocaulis is a unique species only found in Guilin, Guangxi, China. In this study, we sequenced and assembled the complete chloroplast genome of H. pterocaulis and revealed its phylogenetic relationship with other Hemiboea species. The chloroplast genome sequence of H. pterocaulis is 153,159 bp in length and comprises a large single-copy (LSC) region of 84,178 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,087 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions, each with a length of 25,447 bp. It has a total GC content of 37.6% and encodes 132 genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The phylogenetic relationships based on the complete chloroplast genome sequences of Hemiboea taxa indicate that H. pterocaulis is most closely related to H. suiyangensis, indicating that H. pterocaulis is an independent species and is separated from the H. subcapitata complex. These results provide valuable insights into the phylogeny, species divergence, and delimitation of the Hemiboea genus.

The complete chloroplast genome of Chloranthus nervosus Collett ex Hemsl. 1890 (Chloranthaceae).

In this study, we sequenced and assembled the complete chloroplast genome of Chloranthus nervosus Collett ex Hemsl. 1890. The total length of the complete chloroplast sequence was found to be 158,002 bp. It consisted of a large single-copy (LSC) region of 87,127 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,541 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions, each with a length of 26,167 bp. The overall GC content of the complete chloroplast genome was 38.9%, with the LSC region, SSC region, and IR regions exhibiting GC contents of 37.4%, 34.1%, and 43.1%, respectively. The annotation of the chloroplast genome revealed a total of 131 genes, comprising 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the seven sampled species of Chloranthus were divided into two clades. Within the clade characterized by long filamentous anther connectives, C. nervosus showed the closest relation to C. japonicus. These findings validated the previous preliminary results on the phylogenetic relationships of the seven species of Chloranthus with strong support.

The complete chloroplast genome and phylogenomic analysis of Camellia sinensis var. sinensis cultivar 'Liupao', a landrace from Guangxi, China.

Liupao tea is one of the well-known Chinese tea brands and a famous local specialty in Wuzhou, Guangxi, China. However, the genetic background and phylogenetic relationship of the native resource plants of Liupao tea need study, especially at the genomic level. In this study, we reported the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of Camellia sinensis var. sinensis cultivar 'Liupao' (LP, Liupao tea population) and inferred its phylogenetic relationship to other tea plant variants or cultivars. The cp genome had a total length of 157,097 bp and the overall GC content was 37.3%. The cp genome contained one LSC region (86,641 bp) and one SSC region (18,276 bp), which were separated by two IR regions (26,090 bp, respectively). Moreover, the cp genomes were composed of 130 genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis showed that LP was closely related to C. sinensis var. pabilimba cv. 'Lingyunbaihao'. This study will provide useful information for further investigating the genetic background, evolution, and breeding of LP as well as other tea cultivars and varieties.

The complete chloroplast genome of the newly recorded species Tainia acuminata Averyanov (Orchidaceae) from China.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Tainia acuminata Averyanov was assembled and the phylogenetic relationship of the species to other taxa in Subtrib. Bletlinae was inferred in this study. The length of the complete chloroplast sequence is 157,603 bp, and it contains a large single-copy (LSC) region of 86,336 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,129 bp, and two inverted repeat (IRA and IRB) regions of 26,569 bp. A total of 134 genes were annotated including 89 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA, and eight rRNA. Phylogenetic analysis showed that T. acuminata was closely related to T. cordifolia, and the genus was closely related to a clade consisting of Calanthe, Phaius, and Cephalantheropsis.

Oreocharisqianyuensis, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Southwest, China based on morphological and molecular evidence.

Oreocharisqianyuensis, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Southwest, China, is described and illustrated based on morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Phylotranscriptomic analyses of the new species in the context of a comprehensive phylogeny with dense sampling of 88% (111/126) of all species of the genus indicated that the new species was most closely-related to O.fargesii. The new species is morphologically similar to O.fargesii and O.nanchuanica in the shape, color and structure of flowers and the number of stamens, but differs in the leaf blade shape, margin and the indumentum characters of the inflorescence. Its morphological relationship with similar species is discussed, the detailed descriptions, colour photographs, distribution, as well as the IUCN threatened status based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria are also provided.

The complete chloroplast genome of Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Prain (Fabaceae) from Guangxi, China.

Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Prain is an ethnomedicinal plant with high nutritional and medicinal values. In this study, we report the complete chloroplast genome of F. macrophylla. The chloroplast genome has a typical quadripartite structure with a genome size of 152,988 bp, including a large single-copy (LSC) of 83,634 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) of 17,774 bp and two inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,790 bp. The genome contains 129 genes, including 84 protein-coding, 37 tRNA and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content is 35.1%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that F. macrophylla grouped with a clade containing the genera of Fagelia, Dolichos, Eriosema, Dunbaria and Cajanus in Fabaceae. This study provides essential data and insight for understanding the phylogenetic placement of Flemingia.

The complete chloroplast genome of Damnacanthus indicus C.F.Gaertn. (Rubiaceae).

Damnacanthus indicus C.F.Gaertn. is an understorey shrub widely distributed in East Asia. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of D. indicus was assembled and annotated. The chloroplast genome is 153,997 bp in total length, consisting of a large single-copy region (LSC 85,159 bp), a small single-copy region (SSC 17,584 bp) and two inverted repeat regions (25,627 bp for IRA and IRB,respectively). It contains 134 genes, including 89 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that D. indicus is sister to Mitchella repens, suggesting a close relationship of the two genera.

The complete chloroplast genome of Semiaquilegia guangxiensis, a rare and endemic herb in Guangxi, China.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Semiaquilegia guangxiensis was assembled and the phylogenetic relationship with other species in Trib. Isopyreae was inferred in this study. The chloroplast genome is 164,047 bp in length. A typical quadripartite structure was detected, including two inverted repeats (IRs) of 29,581 bp, which are separated by a large single-copy (LSC) and a small single-copy (SSC) of 87,490 bp and 17,395 bp, respectively. Moreover, The genome comprises 132 genes, including 88 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the chloroplast genome is 38.9%. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that S. guangxiensis is most closely related to its congener S. adoxoides, and Semiaquilegia is most closely related to Aquilegia in Ranunculaceae.