Premise of research. The ovary, fruits, and seeds of the Lythraceae present an array of morphological characters that have not been fully explored for their utility in clarifying taxonomic, phylogenetic, and historical biogeographic questions. This study provides a morphological record of ovary, fruit, and seed characters for the family that can be used to address these questions. The seeds, in particular, display diverse adaptations to dispersal and are emphasized in the study. A more complete knowledge of the fruits and seeds of the Lythraceae further promises to aid identification of lythracean fossil fruit and seed remains from late Cretaceous and Cenozoic floras around the world.Methodology. The morphology of alcohol-preserved and softened dried ovaries, fruits, and seeds is described based on hand sections studied using LM. SEM further details the external features of mature seeds of all genera of the family. Selected character states are shown on a previously produced molecular-based phylogeny to e...