Advances in Lythraceae genomics: ecological adaptation, growth and development, and genetic engineering

Plant genomics underpins a foundation for understanding evolution, gene regulation, and fundamental biological processes, subsequently supporting both the conservation and innovative utilization of plant germplasm resources. The Lythraceae family encompasses numerous species of economic and ecological significance, and are valued for their edible, medicinal, and ornamental properties. The family-wide distribution, spanning extreme intertidal zones, semi-deserts and tropical forests, positions Lythraceae as an exemplary model for investigating the genomic mechanisms underlying ecological adaptation. Recent advances in chromosome-level genomes, pan-genomics, genetic mapping, multi-omics integration, and large-scale phenotyping have greatly accelerated research in plant evolution and breeding. Nevertheless, despite the growing genomic and trait-focused studies in Lythraceae, a comprehensive conceptual synthesis linking evolutionary events, structural variation (SV), regulatory networks, and future research directions remain absent. In this review, we present an overview of genomic resources and introduce a unified framework linking whole-genome duplications, lineage-specific SVs, and their functional impacts on species diversification. We also synthesize recent advances in genome evolution, phylogenetic relationships, biotechnology, and molecular mechanisms controlling growth, development, and stress responses. In addition, we address challenges associated with genetic transformation of woody Lythraceae species and discuss strategies to enhance molecular breeding. This review provides a forward-looking perspective on Lythraceae genomics and identifies key scientific questions that will steer future research in evolutionary biology, functional genomics, and crop improvement.