The complete plastid genome of Hong Kong Orchid Tree, Bauhinia × blakeana Dunn (Leguminosae)

Bauhinia × blakeana Dunn, or the Hong Kong Orchid Tree, is a popular ornamental plant in the tropical and subtropical regions. In this study, we report and characterise the complete plastid genome of B. × blakeana in an effort to provide genomic resources for genetic utilization. The complete plastome is 156,100 bp in length and contains the typical quadripartite structure, including two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 25,847 bp, a large single-copy (LSC) region of 86,484 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,922 bp. 126 genes are annotated, including 81 protein-coding genes, 37 transfer RNA genes, and eight ribosomal RNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis based on the plastomes from B. × blakeana and 11 previously reported species of Cercidoideae suggested a sister-relationship between B. × blakeana and B. acuminata L. with strong bootstrap support.