The laurel family within the Magnoliids has attracted attentions owing to its scents, variable inflorescences, and controversial phylogenetic position. Here, we present a chromosome-level assembly of the Litsea cubeba genome, together with low-coverage genomic and transcriptomic data for many other Lauraceae. Phylogenomic analyses show phylogenetic discordance at the position of Magnoliids, suggesting incomplete lineage sorting during the divergence of monocots, eudicots, and Magnoliids. An ancient whole-genome duplication (WGD) event occurred just before the divergence of Laurales and Magnoliales; subsequently, independent WGDs occurred almost simultaneously in the three Lauralean lineages. The phylogenetic relationships within Lauraceae correspond to the divergence of inflorescences, as evidenced by the phylogeny of FUWA, a conserved gene involved in determining panicle architecture in Lauraceae. Monoterpene synthases responsible for production of specific volatile compounds in Lauraceae are functionally verified. Our work sheds light on the evolution of the Lauraceae, the genetic basis for floral evolution and specific scents.

由于其气味，可变的花序和有争议的系统发育位置，Magnoliids中的月桂树家族引起了人们的关注。在这里，我们介绍了Litsea cubeba的染色体级装配基因组，以及许多其他月桂科植物的低覆盖基因组和转录组数据。系统发育学分析显示，在Magnoliids位置的系统发育不一致性，表明在单子叶植物，双子叶植物和Magnoliids的分化过程中谱系排序不完整。在劳拉莱斯和木兰分裂之前，发生了一个古老的全基因组重复事件。随后，在三个劳拉良世系中几乎同时发生了独立的WGD。FUWA的系统发生学证明，月桂科内的系统发生关系对应于花序的发散。，是一种保守的基因，参与确定月桂科的穗构型。在功能上验证了负责在月桂科中产生特定挥发性化合物的单萜合酶。我们的工作揭示了月桂科的进化，花卉进化和特定气味的遗传基础。