A fungal disease (Claviceps purpurea) of rye and other cereals and grasses that replaces developing grain kernels with dark, alkaloid rich fungal structures called sclerotia. Ergot poisoning from contaminated flour caused epidemics of gangrene and convulsions in medieval and early modern Europe known as St Anthony's Fire, and modern grain trade sets strict tolerances for ergot contamination because the alkaloids remain toxic to humans and livestock.
Facts
Connections
Associated With
Rye, Crops Ergot (Claviceps purpurea) is historically and agronomically most associated with rye among cereal crops (confirmed by web search this session).
In the Other Atlases
- Also in Nature Atlas: Ergot, the same subject.
Sources
1. Ergot (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationOpening definition paragraph
Ergot, or ergot fungi, is a group of fungi of the genus Claviceps.
lead description
A fungal disease (Claviceps purpurea) of rye and other cereals and grasses that replaces developing grain kernels with dark, alkaloid rich fungal structures called sclerotia.
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