The complete chloroplast genome of Rudbeckia hirta L. (Asteraceae) and its phylogenetic analysis

Rudbeckia hirta, a widely cultivated North American ornamental, has pharmacological value due to its secondary metabolites. Herein, we assembled and characterized its first complete chloroplast genome from high-throughput sequencing reads. The 151,743 bp genome contains 127 genes, including 85 protein-coding, 34 tRNA and 8 rRNA genes. The long single copy region has three nested inversions: an 83,300 bp large inversion enclosing an 18,500 bp medium inversion with a 3,700 bp small inversion inside. Phylogenetic analysis robustly clustered R. hirta with R. laciniata var. laciniata (bootstrap 100%). This genomic resource facilitates future research on its phylogeny, genetic diversity and potential exploitation.