Identification of anthocyanin-related microRNAs in ornamental kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) by high throughput sequencing

•MicroRNA (miRNA) plays an important role in anthocyanin biosynthesis in plants.•In total, 139 known and 14 novel miRNAs were identified, and 304 target genes cleaved by 92 miRNAs were identified in ornamental kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) leaves.•bol-miR156j, bol-miR172a, bol-miR828, bol-miR858a and bol-miR858b were potentially related to anthocyanin biosynthesis in ornamental kale leaves, of which, bo-miR828 and its targets may play the key role in the regulation of anthocyanins biosynthesis in ornamental kale leaves.