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Nightshades are known for their great diversity of hairs (trichomes), from simple strands to little stars to sticky clubs. We have become interested in how trichome development relates to the inflated calyces found in lots of our beloved physaloids. In particular, glandular trichomes may be responsible for the sticky insect-repellent acylsugar compounds found on many physaloids and other nightshades and may help inflated calyces to deter insect predators. This fall we welcomed three new researchers working on this question -- Fulbright fellow Gina Sierra and Studio Lab researchers Elise Jensen and PiperJo Jones.  We're just getting started, but we're having lots of fun!