New distribution record and DNA barcoding of the steno-endemic plant Cordia diffusa (Boraginaceae)

The research marks the first documented occurrence of Cordia diffusa in Kurumbapalayam, a location where it had not been reported previously. In this study, genomic markers were also utilized to document the endemic plant species Cordia diffusa K.C.Jacob of the Boraginaceae family. This study employed chloroplast markers such as matK, rbcL, and the psbA-tnH region to determine their efficiency in identifying the species. For the first time, C. diffusa has been analyzed and documented using these genetic markers. Sequences obtained from three different primer sets for each marker were submitted to GenBank. This research highlights the first genetic documentation and identification of C. diffusa using chloroplast markers, contributing valuable genetic data to GenBank and advancing the understanding of this endangered species distribution.