Comparative chloroplast genomes of Sophora species: identification of variable DNA markers and phylogenetic relationships within the genus

Phylogenetic analyses based on the chloroplast genomes robustly supported the monophyly of sect. Pseudosophora. Importantly, our phylogenetic results suggested that S. japonica and S. xanthantha should not be classified within the genus Sophora. These findings contribute significantly to the chloroplast genomic data of Sophora and provide valuable genetic resources and molecular markers for resolving taxonomic ambiguities and advancing future phylogenetic, evolutionary, and taxonomic investigations of Sophora.