The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Rhododendron oreodoxa var. fargesii (Ericaceae), an ornamental plant

Rhododendron oreodoxa var. fargesii is an evergreen shrub or small tree, which has great ornamental and huge medicinal value. The complete chloroplast genome of this species has not been reported. In the present study, we obtained the chloroplast complete genome, the circular genome was 200,787 bp in total length, and 141 genes were identified, including 93 protein-coding, 40 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The results of the phylogenetic analysis supported the idea that Rhododendron belongs to the Ericaceae family and that R. oreodoxa var. fargesii is closely related to R. griersonianum in the Ericaceae family. This study will provide useful data onto phylogeny research and genomic selective breeding of R. oreodoxa var. fargesii.