The complete chloroplast genome of Rhododendron platypodum (Ericaceae): an endemic and endangered species from China

Rhododendron platypodum Diels (Ericaceae) is a Chinese endemic and endangered species with high ornamental value. Here the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of R. platypodum was assembled and characterized. The cp genome is in a total length of 201,047 bp with the typical quadripartite structure of angiosperms, containing two inverted repeats (IRs) of 44,650 bp separated by a large single-copy (LSC) region of 109,134 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 2613 bp. The whole cp genome of R. platypodum contains 143 genes, including 93 protein-coding genes, 42 transfer RNA genes and 8 ribosomal RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on the coding sequences of cp genome within the Ericaceae family suggests that R. platypodum is closely related to R. delavayi.