Complete chloroplast genome sequencing of five species and its application in the phylogeny and taxonomy of the genus.

In this study, whole chloroplast genomes of five species (, , , 'Hakuro Nishiki', and ) were sequenced. These chloroplast genomes were 155 ,605, 155, 763, 155, 552, 155, 538, and 155 ,550 bp in length, harboring 131 genes (77 unigenes), 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 86 mRNA genes, respectively. The genes , , , , , , and were under positive selection among the 21 species. , atpF, and were under positive selection between the tree willow and shrub willow, and , , and were positively selected among the shrub genomes. The gene was most variable among the genomes. Phylogenetic analysis of 21 species and provide evidence that the cp genome data partially support the relationship with traditional taxonomic concepts in the Flora of China. This chloroplast genome elucidates taxonomy and provides evidence for evolutionary research.