on Ergot
Among ergot fungi, a genus that parasitizes sweet grasses, Claviceps Purpurea is the one most commonly found in colder climates, as opposed to most of its relatives which prefer tropics and subtropics. It's generally found on rye, though it can choose various grains such as wheat, barley, oat and spelt as its host, and in total, over 400 different kinds of grass are susceptible to infestation.
After one of its sexual spores settles in the stigma of an open flower, mimicing fertilization through pollen, mycelium grows and proliferates through the flower, destroying its ovary and connecting with the vascular structures meant to feed developing seeds. After secreting a honeydew rich in asexual spores, which infect nearby flowers, the mycelium hardens and darkens into the form you can see pictured above, called sclerotium, in which the alkaloids that may cause ergotism in humans begin accumulating. After this phase, the sclerotium eventually drops to the ground and, under the right conditions, begins fruiting.
Ergotism is caused by ingesting toxic alkaloids like ergotamine and ergonovine, and presents with vascular constriction, and a subsequent inhibition of blood circulation to the heart muscle, the kidneys and limbs. This lack of circulation can lead from a dulling of tactile sensations to gangrene and necrosis of the extremities; other symptoms of ergotism generally include headaches, dizziness, vomiting and diarrhea, confusion, delusion and hallucinations.
The alkaloids present in ergot were also instrumental in the discovery of LSD, as the base structure of most is lysergic acid.
In German, the sclerotium of the fungus is commonly known as Mutterkorn, a borrowed translation of the Latin secālis māter, which refers to the haemostatic, oxytocic and abortive properties of the alkaloids, historically known and used by midwives. Other names include Tollkorn, Hungerkorn, Vaterkorn and Krähenkorn.
Ergotism itself has historically also been referred to by various names, many originating from the medieval period, when the tie between the fungus and intoxication wasn't known yet. These include the latin Ignis Sacer and variations on Saint Anthony's Fire, named such because the Order of Saint Anthony dedicated hospitals to caring for those afflicted by ergotism, as well as diseases and intoxications that presented similarly.
