ERGOT

Ergot

Ergot or ergot fungi refers to a group of fungi of the genus Claviceps. The most prominent member of this group is Claviceps purpurea . This fungus grows on rye and related plants, and produces alkaloids that can cause ergotism in humans and other mammals who consume grains contaminated with its fruiting structure . Claviceps includes about 50 known species, mostly in the tropical regions. Economically significant species include C. purpurea, C. fusiformis, C. paspali, and C. africana . C. purpurea most commonly affects outcrossing species such as rye, as well ...

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ergot

Noun

  1. Any fungus in the genus Claviceps which are parasitic on grasses.
  2. The sclerotium (wintering stage) of certain fungi in the genus Claviceps, appearing as a deformed grain in certain cereals and grasses infected by the fungi.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: ergot
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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