Testa Patterns in Some Species of Physalis L. and Some Other Genera in the Tribe Solaneae (Solanaceae)

Testa patterns in Physalis (13 species), Margaranthus (one species), Chaenactis (four species), Acnistus (one species), Athenaea (one species), Exodeconus (four species), Oryctes (one species), Withania (four species), Solanum (three species), Jaltomata (two species), and Jaborosa (two species) (tribe Jaboroseae) are presented and illustrated by SEM pictures. Seeds were treated by an enzyme-etching method to reveal the testa structures. The anticlinal wall thickenings and the fibrils or fringes that sometimes could be found on top of them were of different origin and structure. In Physalis, 12 of the 13 species studied had a testa with round to oblong holes in the bottom thickenings, a character apparently unique to Physalis and the closely related Margaranthus, while smaller holes were found in Chamaesaracha, also close to Physalis. A different type of irregular holes was found in one species of Withania. Chamaesaracha showed unique "wings" on the testa that originated from different heights of the anticlinal walls. Athenaea had pillars in the comer of the testa cells that were prolonged wall thickenings, a character not observed until now. Other hairs or fringes found, for instance in Solanum, were continuations of the wall edge. In Jaborosa, Driselase-digestible fibrils were found on top of the anticlinal walls. One new combination is proposed: E. pusillus (Bitter) Axelius comb. nov.