# Collaborative Research: Sticky sugars and lantern fruits: Investigating the convergent evolution of inflated calyces and chemical defenses in the tomatillo tribe (Physalideae)

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of Colorado at Boulder (CO) · $824,293

## Abstract

Given that plants cannot outrun their predators, they often rely on chemical defenses to protect themselves and their offspring (seeds). These chemical defenses, often unique to particular plants or groups of plants, are valuable resources for developing natural pesticides that may carry fewer risks for ecosystems and for consumers. This project focuses on a group of plants in the tomato family that produce a promising class of natural insecticides called acylsugars. These sticky sugars are produced by gland-tipped hairs and act as traps for insect predators, but they are non-toxic to humans and degrade quickly in the environment. While most acylsugar research has examined their importance in leaf defense, this research will explore their role in protecting the fruit and its enclosed seeds, studying the tomatillos and their wild relatives. Many of these species cover their fruit in a balloon-like sac that develops from the outer organ of the flower (the calyx), and they decorate this inflated calyx with dense sticky acylsugar-coated hairs. This research will investigate the relationship between the repeated evolutionary origins of the inflated calyx across tomatillos and the production of insecticidal acylsugars, providing the foundation for developing novel natural insecticides. This project is built upon a collaborative network of tomatillo researchers from the U.S. and abroad and will advance international collaborations. It will provide training opportunities for early ca

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2449573
- **Awardee organization:** University of Colorado at Boulder (CO)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** SPVKK1RC2MZ3
- **PI:** Stacey D Smith
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** —
- **Estimated total:** $824,293
- **Funds obligated:** $824,293
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 06/01/2025 → 05/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2449573

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2449573, Collaborative Research: Sticky sugars and lantern fruits: Investigating the convergent evolution of inflated calyces and chemical defenses in the tomatillo tribe (Physalideae). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-07 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2449573. Licensed CC0.

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