Abstract: The present paper reports the detailed examination of foliarepidermis, such as the shape of cells, types of stomatal apparatuses and cuticular membrane of 5 species 2 varieties in Physalis and 2 species in related genera, i. e., Capsicum annuum L. and Tubocapsicum anomalum(Franch. et Sav.) Makino by using light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). It also presents studies on their seed coats by using SEM. The results indicate that there are no remarkable difference in the foliar epidermal features in the three genera. The stomatal apparatuses are constantly recognized as an anomocytic type in the three genera. Therefore, the character of the stomatal apparatus type has no value for the determination of the three genera.

Key words: Physalis, Capsicum annuum, Tubocapsium anomalum, Leaf epidermis, Stomatal apparatus, Seed coat, Taxonomic significance