Abstract: Transposable elements（TEs）are repetitive mobile genetic elements that are ubiquitous in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and have the ability to change their positions within a genome. TEs are categorized into two classes：retrotransposons and DNA transposons based on their structure and manner of transposition. Retrotransposons transpose via an mRNA intermediate that is reversely-transcribed into cDNA，which is then integrated in the genome by a copy-and-paste model. DNA transposons transpose via a DNA intermediate that is excised and reinserted into new genomic locations by a cut-and-paste model. Both classes contain autonomous and nonautonomous elements. As a major component of plant genomes，plant TEs play a critical role in the evolution，structural rearrangement，and expression regulation of genes and the phenotypes of plants. This paper reviewed the recent progress on the structural characteristics，transposition mechanism，and functions of plant TEs，with a particular focus on the insertion mutation of TEs，their regulation of gene expression and floral development in horticultural plants. The prospects and directions of future research were discussed for the horticultural applications of plant TEs.

Key words: transposable element, transposition mechanism, horticultural plants, flower development