Advances in molecular research: applications in authentication, genetic diversity, phylogenetics, functional genes, and omics.

The plants of the genus L. have been extensively utilized in traditional and indigenous Chinese medicinal practices for treating a variety of ailments, including dermatitis, malaria, asthma, hepatitis, and liver disorders. The present review aims to achieve a comprehensive and up-to-date investigation of the genus , a new model crop, to understand plant diversity and fruit development. Several chloroplast DNA-, nuclear ribosomal DNA-, and genomic DNA-based markers, such as , internal-transcribed spacer (ITS), simple sequence repeat (SSR), random amplified microsatellites (RAMS), sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR), and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), were developed for molecular identification, genetic diversity, and phylogenetic studies of species. A large number of functional genes involved in inflated calyx syndrome development (, , , and ), organ growth (, , , and ), and active ingredient metabolism (, , , , , , and ) were identified contributing to the breeding of novel varieties. Various omic studies revealed and functionally identified a series of reproductive organ development-related factors, environmental stress-responsive genes, and active component biosynthesis-related enzymes. The chromosome-level genomes of Rydb., (Waterf.) M. Martínez, and L. have been recently published providing a valuable resource for genome editing in crops. Our review summarizes the recent progress in genetic diversity, molecular identification, phylogenetics, functional genes, and the application of omics in the genus and accelerates efficient utilization of this traditional herb.