The chloroplast genome sequence of Michelia alba (Magnoliaceae), an ornamental tree species

Magnoliaceae are both economically and ornamentally important trees. Despite extensive studies in this family, the taxonomy of Michelia L. remains unclear, as well as the taxonomical status of Michelia alba. Herein, we report the complete chloroplast genome of M. alba DC. The chloroplast genome was 159,789 bp in length, with a large single-copy (LSC) region of 87,951 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,798 bp, separated by two inverted repeat (IRs) regions of 26,570 bp. It contained 156 genes, including 83 coding genes, 68 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content was 39.3%, and 43.2%, 38.0%, 34.3%, in the IRs, LSC, and SSC regions, respectively. A phylogenetic analysis showed that M. alba is closely related to M. odora, with the genus Michelia nested inside Magnolia.