Ardisia gigantifolia (Myrsinaceae) is a perennial shrub and widely distributed in Southeast Asia. It is well known for its medicinal values and has the potential for development of novel phytopharmaceuticals. Here, we first report and characterize its complete chloroplast genome based on Illumina paired-end sequencing data. The complete plastid genome was 156,216 bp, which contained inverted repeats (IR) of 26,047 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) and a small single-copy (SSC) regions of 85,725 bp and 18,397 bp, respectively. The cpDNA contains 134 genes, comprising 88 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 1 processed pseudogene. The overall GC content of the plastome is 37.3%. The phylogenetic analysis of 17 selected chloroplast genomes demonstrated that A. gigantifolia is closely related to the congeneric A. polysticta.

Annamocarya sinensis (Juglandaceae) is a tertiary relict tree restricted to southeastern China and northern Vietnam. Here, we first report and characterize its complete chloroplast genome based on Illumina paired-end sequencing data. The complete plastid genome was 160,065 bp, which contained inverted repeats (IR) of 25,786 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) and a small single copy (SSC) of 89,759 bp and 18,734 bp, respectively. The cpDNA contains 130 genes, comprising 85 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes, and one processed pseudogene. The overall GC content of the plastome is 36.3%. The phylogenetic analysis of 18 selected chloroplast genomes demonstrated that A. sinensis was close to the species Carya kweichowensis.

Liquidambar formosana (Hamamelidaceae) is a tertiary relic species widely distributed in subtropical areas, and is a common endemic broad-leaved tree species in south China. Here, we report and describe for the first time the complete chloroplast genome of L. formosana based on Illumina double-ended sequencing data. The complete plastid genome was 160,425 bp, which contained inverted repeats (IR) of 26,266 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) and a small single-copy (SSC) of 88,971 bp and 18,922 bp, respectively. The cpDNA contains 132 genes, comprising 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the plastome is 37.9%. The phylogenetic analysis of 18 selected chloroplast genomes demonstrated that L. formosana was close to the species Sinowilsonia henryi.

The complete chloroplast genome of Helixanthera parasitica from China was analyzed using next-generation sequencing. The plastome of H. parasitica is a typical quadripartite structure with a length of 125,021 bp, which contained inverted repeats (IR) of 22,752 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) and a small single copy (SSC) of 73,151 bp and 6,366 bp, respectively. The cpDNA contains 105 genes, comprising 67 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the plastome is 36.5%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that H. parasitica was closely related to the Tolypanthus maclurei.

Taxillus chinensis (DC) Danser, which is a hemiparasitic shrub distributed in southern China and Southeast Asian countries, is wildly used in various traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of the T. chinensis was assembled from the whole genome Illumina sequencing data. The complete plastome is a typical quadripartite structure with a length of 121,305 bp, which contained two inverted repeats (IRs) of 22,460 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) and a small single copy (SSC) of 70,295 bp and 6090 bp, respectively. The plastome contains 106 genes, comprising 66 protein-coding genes, 28 tRNA genes, eight rRNA genes, and four processed pseudogenes. The overall GC content of the plastome is 37.4%, which is unevenly distributed across the whole chloroplast genome. The phylogenetic analysis shows that T. chinensis was closely related to the congeneric species T. sutchuenensis.

Scurrula parasitica Linn. is a hemiparasitic shrub distributed in southern China and Southeast Asian countries. Here, we report and characterize the complete plastid genome sequence of S. parasitica in an effort to provide genomic resources useful for the phylogenetic studies for Santalales. The complete chloroplast genome of S. parasitica was 122,599 bp in total sequence length, which containing two inverted repeats (IRs) of 23,137 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) and a small single copy (SSC) of 70,237 bp and 6,088 bp, respectively. The cpDNA contains 105 genes, comprising 67 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the plastome is 37.2%. Phylogenetic analysis with 17 species revealed that S. parasitica was closely related to the congeneric species S. notothixoides.

Heteroplexis incana (Asteraceae) is a rare species endemic to China. Here, we report and characterize the complete chloroplast genome sequence of H. incana based on Illumina paired-end sequencing data. The complete plastid genome was 152,605 bp in length, which contained two inverted repeats (IRs) of 24,954 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) and a small single copy (SSC) of 84,427 bp and 18,270 bp, respectively. The cpDNA contains 132 genes, comprising 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the plastome is 37.3%. The phylogenetic analysis of 17 selected chloroplast genomes demonstrated that Heteroplexis incana was closely related to Aster indicus.

Hopea chinensis (Dipterocarpaceae) is a rare and critically endangered species. Here, we first report and characterize its complete chloroplast genome sequence based on Illumina paired-end sequencing data. The complete plastid genome was 152,054 bp, which contained inverted repeats (IR) of 21,702 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) and a small single-copy (SSC) of 20,462 bp and 88,188 bp, respectively. The cpDNA contains 129 genes, comprising 83 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the plastome is 37.4%. The phylogenetic analysis of 18 selected chloroplast genomes demonstrated that H. chinensis was close to the species Parashorea macrophylla.

Toona sinensis, also known as Xiangchun in Chinese, is a popular 'tree vegetables' and famous medicinal plant with good economic value. In our study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of T. sinensis using the llumina sequencing platform. The cp genome of T. sinensis is a characteristic four-party structure with a length of 157,228 bp, which contains two 26,994 bp inverted repeats (IRs), an 85,971 bp large single copy (LSC), and a 17,269 bp small single copy (SSC). We identified a total of 126 genes, of which clouding 82 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis showed that T. sinensis was closely related to the congeneric T. ciliata.

Dysosma versipellis (Berberidaceae) is a rare and threatened medicinal herb endemic to subtropical China. Here, we first report and characterize its complete chloroplast genome based on Illumina paired-end sequencing data. The complete plastid genome was 156,735 bp, which contained inverted repeats (IR) of 25,925 bp separated by a large single copy (LSC) and a small single copy (SSC) of 86,514 bp and 18,371 bp, respectively. The cpDNA contains 133 genes, comprising 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 2 processed pseudogenes. The overall GC content of the plastome is 38.5%. The phylogenetic analysis of 17 selected chloroplast genomes demonstrated that D. versipellis is closely related to the congeneric D. pleiantha.

Ilex latifolia (Aquifoliaceae), commonly known as 'kudingcha', is an evergreen tree widely distributed in southwest China. It is well known for its health function due to possess antioxidant, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ischemic activities. Here, we first report and characterize its complete chloroplast genome based on Illumina paired-end sequencing data. The complete plastid genome was 157,601 bp, which contained inverted repeats (IR) of 26,077 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) and a small single copy (SSC) of 87,020 bp and 18,427 bp, respectively. The cpDNA contains 143 genes, comprising 95 protein-coding genes, 40 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the plastome is 37.6%. The phylogenetic analysis of 18 selected chloroplast genomes demonstrated that I. latifolia is closely related to the congeneric I. integra.

Semiliquidambar cathayensis (Hamamelidaceae) is a rare and endangered species endemic to China. Here, we first report and characterize the complete chloroplast genome sequence of S. cathayensis based on Illumina paired-end sequencing data. The complete plastid genome was 160,406 bp in length, which contained two inverted repeats (IRs) of 26,282 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) and a small single copy (SSC) of 88,920 bp and 18,922 bp, respectively. The cpDNA contains 132 genes, comprising 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes and one processed pseudogene. The overall GC content of the plastome is 37.9%. The phylogenetic analysis of 20 selected chloroplast genomes demonstrated that S. cathayensis was close to the species Liquidambar formosana.

Zanthoxylum nitidum (Rutaceae) is a scandent prickly shrub and widely distributed in South China. It's well known for its valuable medicinal values due to contains some important secondary metabolites. Here, we first report and characterize its complete chloroplast genome based on Illumina paired-end sequencing data. The complete plastid genome was 157,253 bp, which contained inverted repeats (IR) of 27,618 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) and a small single copy (SSC) of 84,382 bp and 17,635 bp, respectively. The cpDNA contains 132 genes, comprising 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the plastome is 38.5%. The phylogenetic analysis of 20 selected chloroplast genomes demonstrated that Z. nitidum is closely related to the congeneric Z. bungeanum.

Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Cucurbitaceae) is a perennial medicinal herb widely distributed in China. It's well known for its medicinal values due to contains important medicinal components gypenosides. Here, we first report and characterize its complete chloroplast genome based on Illumina paired-end sequencing data. The complete plastid genome was 154,457 bp, which contained inverted repeats (IR) of 25,603 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) and a small single copy (SSC) of 84,998 bp and 18,253 bp, respectively. The cpDNA contains 132 genes, comprising 81 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes and six processed pseudogenes. The overall GC content of the plastome is 37.1%. The phylogenetic analysis of 17 selected chloroplast genomes demonstrated that G. pentaphyllum is closely related to the congeneric G. compressum.

Stephania kwangsiensis (Menispermaceae) is a rare and critically endangered species endemic to China. Here, we first report and characterize its complete chloroplast genome sequence based on Illumina paired-end sequencing data. The complete plastid genome was 156,624 bp, which contained inverted repeats (IR) of 24,348 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) and a small single copy (SSC) of 87,759 bp and 20,169 bp, respectively. The cpDNA contains 132 genes, comprising 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, eight rRNA genes, and two processed pseudogenes. The overall GC content of the plastome is 38.4%. The phylogenetic analysis of 18 selected chloroplast genomes demonstrated that S. kwangsiensis is related to the congeneric S. japonica.

Sophora japonica 'JinhuaiJ2' (Papilionaceae), known as Chinese Scholar Tree, is an important traditional herb with a long history of cultivation in China. It's well known for its valuable medicinal values due to its flower buds contains abundant rutin. Here, we reported and characterized its complete chloroplast genome based on Illumina paired-end sequencing data. The complete plastid genome was 158,690 bp, which contained inverted repeats (IR) of 25,339 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) and a small single copy (SSC) of 88,978 bp and 19,034 bp, respectively. The cpDNA contains 129 genes, comprising 83 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the plastome is 36.1%. The phylogenetic analysis of 18 selected chloroplast genomes demonstrated that S. japonica 'JinhuaiJ2' was close to the species Tapiscia sinensis.

Maytenus guangxiensis (Celastraceae) is a rare and critically endangered species endemic to China. Here, we first report and characterize its complete chloroplast genome sequence based on Illumina paired-end sequencing data. The complete plastid genome was 157,102 bp, which contained inverted repeats (IR) of 26,476 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) and a small single copy (SSC) of 85,559 bp and 18,591 bp, respectively. The cpDNA contains 130 genes, comprising 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the plastome is 37.3%. The phylogenetic analysis of 19 selected chloroplast genomes demonstrated that M. guangxiensis was close to the species Catha edulis.

Heteroplexis sericophylla (Asteraceae) is a rare and vulnerable species endemic to China. Here, we report and characterize the complete chloroplast genome sequence of H. sericophylla based on Illumina paired-end sequencing data. The complete plastid genome was 152,629 bp in length, which contained two inverted repeats (IRs) of 24,954 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) and a small single-copy (SSC) of 84,427 bp and 18,294 bp, respectively. The cpDNA contains 131 genes, comprising 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes and one processed pseudogene. The overall GC content of the plastome is 37.3%. The phylogenetic analysis of 17 selected chloroplast genomes demonstrated that H. sericophylla was close to congeneric species H. incana.