The complete chloroplast genome sequence of the endangered species: <i>Ephedra rhytidosperma</i> (Ephedraceae): insights into genome features and evolutionary relationships

<i>Ephedra rhytidosperma</i> belongs to the genus Ephedra (Ephedraceae) and plays a significant role in desertification control. In this study, we assembled the complete chloroplast genome of <i>E. rhytidosperma</i> for the first time, revealing a typical quadripartite structure. The chloroplast genome was 109,545 base pair (bp) long with a GC content of 36.8%, encoding 118 complete genes. Phylogenetic reconstruction resolved <i>E. rhytidosperma</i>, <i>E. minuta</i>, <i>E. likiangensis</i>, <i>E. equisetina</i>, <i>Ephedra gerardiana</i>, <i>E. fedtschenkoae</i>, and <i>E. monosperma</i> formed a monophyletic group, indicating their close relationship. The chloroplast genome of <i>E. rhytidosperma</i> establishes a good foundation for further genetic and genomic studies of the <i>Ephedra</i>.