The first complete chloroplast genome and phylogenetic analysis of Rhododendron simsii var. putuoense G. Y. Li & Z. H. Chen (Ericaceae) from East China

We sequenced the first chloroplast (cp) genome of Rhododendron simsii var. putuoense G. Y. Li & Z. H. Chen 2010, an endemic coastal plant species unique to East China, to clarify its phylogenetic relationships. The cp genome is 151,998 bp long with a 35.76% GC content and lacks the typical quadripartite structure. It contains118 genes: 76 mRNAs, 38 tRNAs, and four ribosomal RNAs. Phylogenetic analysis shows that R. simsii var. putuoense is closely related to R. simsii supporting its recent divergence from this species. This study expands genetic resource for the variety and clarifies its position within Rhododendron.