Resource characteristics and genomic advances in Melastoma species: progress and perspectives

Melastoma species, widely distributed across tropical and subtropical areas, exhibit remarkable morphological diversity and environmental adaptability, with significant horticultural, ecological, and medicinal value in China. Recent genomic and multi-omics advances have made an initial contribution to the molecular bases of key traits, including hetero-morphic stamen regulation, aluminum hyper-accumulation, stress tolerance, and growth habit determination. The application of chromosome-level reference genomes, integrated with metabolomic and transcriptomic, have provided candidate genes and regulatory networks underpinning these traits. However, challenges remain, including limited sequenced species, insufficient functional validation, and the absence of robust breeding systems. Future efforts can focus on pan-genome construction, multi-omics integration, and functional studies to enable targeted molecular breeding, elite germplasm improvement, and sustainable utilization. These advances will facilitate the rational exploitation of Melastoma species for horticultural, medicinal, and ecological applications.