Dataset for the genome of medicinal plant Sophora flavescens has undergone significant expansion of both transposons and genes

<em>Sophora flavescens</em> is a medicinal plant in the genus Sophora of the Fabaceae family. The root of <em>S. flavescens</em> is known in China as Kushen and has a long history of wide use in multiple formulations of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). However, there is little genomic information available for <em>S. flavescens</em>, which has greatly hindered the breeding of <em>S. flavescens</em> and characterisation of bioactive compounds. Therefore, in this study, we used third-generation Nanopore long-read sequencing technology combined with Hi-C scaffolding technology to <em>de novo</em> assemble the <em>S. flavescens</em> genome. We obtained a chromosomal level high-quality <em>S. flavescens</em> draft genome. The draft genome size is approximately 2.08 Gb, with more than 80% annotated as Transposable Elements (TEs). We also annotated 60,485 genes and examined their expression profiles in leaf, stem and root tissues. We also characterised the genes and pathways involved in the biosynthesis of major bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids and isoflavonoids. The assembled genome provides valuable resources for conservation, genetic research and breeding of <em>S. flavescens</em>.