Chloroplast genome sequencing

Research on the chloroplast genome of Camellia plants is currently limited to the use of some chloroplast genes for phylogenetic analysis. Here, we describe the whole chloroplast genome sequence of C. osmantha and three other Camellia species using the next-generation Illumina genome analyzer platform. The three representative species have notable phenotypic differences (including pericarp thickness, fruit size, seed yield, and oil content) and are widely cultivated in southern China. This study aimed to provide more information for the classification of C. osmantha by clarifying and comparing the cp genome sequences and structural variations between C. osmantha and three closely related Camellia species.