Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome sequence of <i>Hypericum petiolulatum</i> (Hypericaceae)

Abstract

<i>Hypericum</i> L. (Hypericaceae) is one of the best-selling herbal medicines in the world comprising ca. 500 species of herbs, shrubs, and small trees. <i>Hypericum petiolulatum</i> Hook. f. & Thomson ex Dyer is widely distributed in China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Nepal, India, Malaysia, and Bhutan and is used as a traditional herb to treat hemoptysis and inflammation. In this study, we sequenced and assembled the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of <i>H. petiolulatum</i>. The complete plastome of <i>H. petiolulatum</i> was 136,105 bp in length, with a large single copy region (LSC) of 93,709 bp, a small single copy region (SSC) of 11088 bp and two identical inverted repeats (IRs) of 15,654 bp. The overall GC content of the plastome was 37.0%, while GC contents of the LSC, SSC, and each IR were 35.5%, 31.0%, and 43.8%, respectively. In addition, 116 genes consisting of 76 protein-coding genes, six ribosomal RNA genes, and 34 transfer RNA genes were identified. A phylogenetic analysis of 14 taxa inferred based on cp genome sequences revealed a close relationship between <i>H. petiolulatum</i> and <i>H. perforatum</i>. The complete cp genome sequence of <i>H. petiolulatum</i> reported in this paper will facilitate population and phylogenomics studies of this medicinal plant group.