Genetic diversity and relationships among populations of Camellia japonica, an endangered species in China

Camellia japonica, an evergreen ornamental plant in the Theaceae, its natural range is now shrinking. This evidenced by fact that species on verge of extinction Laoshan Mountain (Qingdao), northernmost area China for population C. japonica. Little known about genetic diversity and relationships among cultivated wild japonica populations. 180 samples six populations were tested with SSR markers; these included three populations, two Qingdao, one Daqingshan. The average values polymorphism information content (PIC), expected heterozygosity (He), Shannon’s index (I) 0.5849, 0.6385 1.3170, respectively, indicating has a high diversity. diversities rank order as follows: Daqingshan > Zhongshan Park Changmenyan Island Daguan Botanical Garden May Fourth Square. geographical isolation islands had no significant influence Clustering results showed could be grouped into categories, most clustered according to their origin background. These also reconfirmed (Naidong) Qingdao originated from Island. Genetic variation was highest within (89%), can protected at level. findings will prove useful analysis, protection, horticultural use