Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the chloroplast genome of Iris lactea var. chinensis

Iris lactea var. chinensis is a well-regarded ornamental plant in the genus Iris (family Iridaceae). In this report, we present the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of I. lactea var. chinensis for the first time. The complete cp genome of I. lactea var. chinensis was assembled using high-throughput sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis was undertaken based on a dataset of coding regions. The cp genome of I. lactea var. chinensis measures 152,409 bp in length, with regions having two inverted copies (IR 26,026 bp), and separated by the large single copy (LSC 82,256 bp) and small single copy (SSC 18,101 bp) regions. The cp genome encodes 133 unique genes, including 87 different protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Based on a dataset of 69 chloroplast coding regions, the maximum-likelihood (ML) phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that Iris lactea var. chinensis clusters closely with Iris sanguinea. Thus, the complete chloroplast genome presented in this report may provide valuable genetic information not only for the future exploitation and utilization of this plant resource but also for further research investigating its relationship with other Iris species.