De Novo Plastome Analysis of Elsholtzia blanda and Comparative Insights Across the Elsholtzia Genus

Abstract

This study performs a de novo analysis of plastome from ten Elsholtzieae species, including Elsholtzia blanda (151,970 bp), to uncover evolutionary history and adaptations. The plastome maintain a conserved quadripartite structure, averaging 150,843 bp with a GC content of 37.89%. Among the compared plastomes, the analysis revealed conserved regions and species-specific variations. Genes ycf1_copy and matK had high nucleotide diversity, while rpl2 and rps7 were conserved. Non-coding psbT_psbN (0.088) was more diverse than rpl23_rpl2 (Pi = 0.0), suggesting adaptation. Phylogenetic analysis confirms E. blanda’s close relation to E. rugulosa, enhancing understanding of Elsholtzieae evolution and conservation.