Analysis of the complete chloroplast genomes of Scutellaria tsinyunensis and Scutellaria tuberifera (Lamiaceae)

Elucidating phylogenetic relationships within the genus Curcuma through the comprehensive analysis of the chloroplast genome of Curcuma viridiflora Roxb. 1810 (Zingiberaceae)

Curcuma viridiflora Roxb., a plant species of significant pharmaceutical interest, has been the subject of limited chloroplast genomic research. In this study, we present the sequencing and assembly of the C. viridiflora chloroplast genome, which is characterized by a circular chromosome spanning 162,212 base pairs and a GC content of 36.20%. The genome encodes 87 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 38 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. A phylogenetic analysis was conducted, incorporating eight related species, and based on the complete chloroplast genome and protein-coding DNA sequences of six related taxa within the genus. Outgroup species Zingiber zerumbet and Zingiber officinale were also included in the analysis. The results indicate a close relationship between C. viridiflora and Curcuma phaeocaulis, Curcuma sichuanensis, and Curcuma yunnanensis. This study provides the first chloroplast genome of C. viridiflora, thereby contributing a valuable genomic resource for future research on medicinal plants within the Curcuma genus.

The chloroplast genome of Scutellaria franchetiana H.Lév. 1911 and its implications for phylogenetic relationships in the Scutellaria genus

Scutellaria franchetiana H.Lév. 1911 is an important medicinal plant distributed on hillside wetlands at an altitude of 830-2300 m. The total length of complete chloroplast genome of S. franchetiana 151,852 bp of 38.37% GC content. It is a typical quadratic structure with four subregions consisting of a large single-copy region (83,894 bp), a small single-copy region (17,520 bp), and a pair of inverted repeats (25,219 bp). In the chloroplast genome of S. franchetiana, 130 genes were detected, comprising 86 protein-encoding genes, eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 36 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. The comparative analysis of complete chloroplast genome sequences including 68 common genes of 27 plants indicates that S. franchetiana has a close relative relationship with Scutellaria orthocalyx and Scutellaria meehanioides. This work reported the first chloroplast genome of S. franchetiana, which provided a potential reference for studying phylogenetic relationships of the Scutellaria genus.

The complete chloroplast genome of Scutellaria barbata D. Don 1825 revealed the phylogenetic relationships of the Scutellaria genus

Scutellaria barbata D. Don 1825 is an important medicinal plant distributed in wetlands about 2000 m above sea level and used to treat various diseases. The complete chloroplast genome of S. barbata is 152,050 bp with four subregions consisting of a large single-copy region (84,053 bp), a small single-copy region (17,517 bp), and a pair of inverted repeats (25,240 bp). In the chloroplast genome of S. barbata, 131 genes were detected, comprising 87 protein-encoding genes, eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 36 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete chloroplast genome and protein-coding DNA sequences of 27 related taxa of the genus (out group included Holmskioldia sanguinea and Tinnea aethiopica) indicates that S. barbata was made a clade with S. orthocalyx, and S. meehanioides was a sister to them. The first chloroplast genome of S. barbata was reported in this work, serving as a potential reference for important medicinal plants within the Scutellaria genus.