Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan balsam) chloroplast genome sequence as a promising target for populations studies.

The complete cp genomes were double-stranded molecules of 152,260 bp (HB92) and 152,203 bp (HB10) in length and showed 97 variable sites: 27 intragenic and 70 intergenic. The two genomes were aligned and mapped with two closely related genomes used as references. Genome skimming generates complete organellar genomes with limited technical and financial efforts and produces large datasets compared to multi-locus sequence typing. This study demonstrates the suitability of genome skimming for generating complete cp genomes of historic herbarium material. It also shows that complete cp genomes are solid genetic markers for population studies that could be linked to plant evolution and aid with targeting native range and natural enemy surveys for biocontrol of invasive species.