Complete chloroplast genome of the medicinal plant Eupatorium chinense: gene organization, comparative analysis, and phylogenetic relationships within Eupatorieae (Asteraceae)

The species of Eupatorium chinense L. is an economically important traditional Chinese medicinal plant. The complete chloroplast (cp) genome of the Eupatorium chinense species and a comparative genomic analysis of Eupatorium chinense and its closely related species within the Eupatorieae family are presented in this study. The results indicated that the cp genome had a typical circular structure of 151,393 bp in length, consisting of a long single-copy (LSC) region with 83,044 bp, a short single-copy (SSC) region with 18,295 bp, and two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 50,054 bp. A total of 133 genes were identified, including 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes and 87 protein-coding genes, with the GC content of 37.6%. The gene content, organization, and GC values found here were comparable to those of the other species of Eupatorieae. Phylogenetic analysis reveals the systematic position of Eupatorium chinense is sister to Eupatorium fortunei Turcz. For the purposes of analysis of this genus identification, evolution, and comparative genomic study, the chloroplast genome sequence of the Eupatorium chinense species offers a useful genetic resource.