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Ergot, Ergot of rye
Claviceps purpurea is the ergot fungus of rye and many other grasses, and the type species of Claviceps. It infects the flowers, produces a sticky honeydew stage and then replaces the grain with a hard, purple-black, banana-shaped sclerotium (the ergot). Ergots contain ergot alkaloids such as ergotamine. Grain contaminated with ergots caused mass poisonings (ergotism, 'St Anthony's fire') in medieval Europe, often with high death rates. It is a deadly poison, not a recreational or edible fungus. Purified ergot alkaloids are used in medicines such as migraine drugs.
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Join WeMushDeadly poisonous; never eat. Ergot alkaloids cause ergotism. The gangrenous form causes burning pain, gangrene and loss of limbs; the convulsive form causes hallucinations, irrational behaviour, convulsions, unconsciousness and death. They also cause strong uterine contractions. Major historical outbreaks had death rates of 10-20%, some 19th-century epidemics around 40%. The toxins are not destroyed by baking. Livestock are poisoned by feed with more than about 0.3% ergot by weight.
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Mycology is an evolving science: names, classifications and safety information change as research advances. Entries are compiled from cited sources and reviewed, but may be incomplete or out of date — check the sources, and never rely on this library alone to identify or eat a mushroom.
