Phylogenetic relationships and characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Paphiopedilum ‘GZSLKY Youyou’, a hybrid of P. dianthum × P. barbigerum

Paphiopedilum ‘GZSLKY Youyou’. is a new cultivar of Paphiopedilum with highly ornamental and horticultural value developed by crossing female parent Paphiopedilum dianthum T. Tang & F. T. Wang 1940 and male parent Paphiopedilum barbigerum T. Tang & F. T. Wang 1940. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of the cultivar has been reconstructed from the Illumina sequencing data. The circular genome was 160,503 bp in size, containing a large single-copy region (91,582 bp), a small single-copy region (3,215 bp) and a pair of IR regions (each one 32,853 bp). The overall GC contents of the chloroplast genome was 36.20%. The chloroplast genome contained 122 genes, including 76 protein coding genes, 38 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes. A maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic tree showed that the cultivar ‘GZSLKY Youyou’ was clustered into the same clade with its parents and was closest related to P. dianthum, reflecting a maternal inheritance of chloroplasts. This complete chloroplast genome resource could be further used for genomic studies, phylogenetic analyses, and genetic engineering and breeding of the genus Paphiopedilum.