Ergot
Ergot is a group of fungi in the genus Claviceps, best known for infecting rye and other grasses. Some species form hard fungal bodies called sclerotia that contain alkaloids. These compounds can be toxic, which makes ergot important in agriculture, food safety, and the history of psychedelic science.
- Genus
- Claviceps
- Common host
- Rye and other grasses
- Fungal body
- Hard form called a sclerotium
- Key concern
- Alkaloids can be toxic
- Not the same as
- LSD or a mushroom
What is ergot?
Ergot is the common name for fungi in the genus Claviceps. These fungi are parasites of flowering grasses, including cereal crops. The best-known species, Claviceps purpurea, can infect rye as well as some types of wheat, barley, and other grasses. Ergot is not a cap-and-stem mushroom: it is a fungus that grows in and replaces part of a grass flower or developing seed.
After infection, some Claviceps species produce a firm, dark fungal structure called a sclerotium. It takes the place of the grain and may stick out from the seed head. Sclerotia can contain ergot alkaloids, a varied group of chemicals that affect living organisms. Species and growing conditions influence which compounds are present, so “ergot” describes a group of fungi rather than one uniform substance.
- 1Spore arrives
A Claviceps spore reaches a receptive grass flower.
- 2Flower infection
The fungus grows into the flower and replaces developing seed tissue.
- 3Spore spread
Early fungal growth releases spores that can reach other flowers.
- 4Sclerotium forms
Infected tissue hardens into a fungal body within the flower husk.
- 5Cycle resumes
The sclerotium can germinate later and release spores.
How does ergot form?
The fungus begins its life cycle when a spore reaches the receptive part of a grass flower. It grows into the flower and takes over the developing ovary, where a seed would normally form. During an early phase, infected tissue can produce a sugary liquid that carries more spores. Insects or wind may help disperse spores, depending on the species and conditions.
As the infection develops, the soft fungal growth can turn into a hard sclerotium within the flower’s outer husk. It may eventually fall to the soil and remain dormant until conditions allow it to germinate and produce spore-bearing structures. Those spores can then reach flowering grasses and begin the cycle again. The details vary across Claviceps species, and not all have identical hosts or life-cycle features.
Ergot is a fungus, but it grows by infecting grass flowers.
Ergot bodies can replace grain and create a contamination risk.
Ergot contains alkaloids, not LSD itself.
Editorial placement to help compare; not a measurement.
Why does ergot matter?
Ergot matters because contaminated grain and forage can pose a serious food-safety and livestock concern. The alkaloids in ergot can cause poisoning, known as ergotism, in people or animals that ingest contaminated material. In crops, infection can also reduce grain quality and yield. Dark sclerotia are sometimes visible among grain, but some species produce less conspicuous forms, so appearance alone is not a reliable safety check.
Ergot also appears in the history of pharmacology and psychedelic science. Its alkaloids have been studied for their biological effects, and lysergic acid is associated with the broader chemistry from which LSD research developed. However, ergot does not contain LSD. The fungus contains a mixture of natural compounds, and it should not be confused with a controlled psychedelic drug or with a safe, predictable source of one.
| Ergot | Claviceps purpurea | Psilocybe mushrooms | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Common name for Claviceps fungi | One species of Claviceps | A separate mushroom genus |
| Typical host | Flowering grasses | Rye and other grasses | Varies by species |
| Growth form | Often forms sclerotia | Forms grain-replacing sclerotia | Often has cap and stem |
| Key compounds | Ergot alkaloids in some species | Ergot alkaloids | Some species contain psilocybin |
| Main concern | Contamination and toxicity | Crop and food safety | Species-specific risks and laws |
Is ergot a mushroom or LSD?
No. Ergot is a group of fungi that infect grasses; it is not a typical mushroom with a cap and stem. The word “ergot” can also refer to the hard fungal growth formed in an infected flower, which is called a sclerotium. In this context, the visible dark structure is part of the fungus’s life cycle, not a grain variety or a mushroom intended for food.
Ergot is also not LSD. Although some ergot alkaloids are chemically related to lysergic acid, the fungus does not naturally contain LSD. Confusing a chemical relationship with the same substance can lead to unsafe assumptions. Ergot-contaminated grain is a poisoning hazard, not a psychedelic product. Never eat a wild mushroom or other unidentified fungus; expert identification is essential, and grain safety depends on proper inspection and testing.
- 1853
The genus Claviceps is formally described.
- 1938
Albert Hofmann first synthesizes LSD while researching ergot-derived compounds.
- 1943
Hofmann recognizes LSD’s psychoactive effects, helping shape later psychedelic research.
How is ergot connected to other fungi?
Ergot is useful for understanding how diverse the fungal kingdom is. Claviceps belongs to Ascomycota, a major fungal group that also includes yeasts, molds, and morels. Many familiar mushrooms belong instead to Basidiomycota. Both groups reproduce through spores, but their structures and life cycles differ. Ergot’s sclerotium is one example of a durable fungal structure, not a mushroom cap or a general feature of every fungus.
The term also connects to topics such as spores, mycotoxins, and mushroom identification. A mycotoxin is a harmful chemical produced by certain fungi; ergot alkaloids are one example of fungal compounds with toxic potential. Learning these distinctions helps separate fungal biology from popular ideas about psychedelic mushrooms. Ergot research concerns a plant parasite and its compounds, while psilocybin topics concern different fungi and different chemicals.
Common questions about Ergot
What is ergot fungus?
Ergot is the common name for fungi in the genus Claviceps. They infect flowering grasses and can form hard fungal bodies called sclerotia in place of developing seeds. Some sclerotia contain ergot alkaloids, compounds that can be toxic if contaminated grain or forage is eaten.
Does ergot contain LSD?
No. Ergot does not naturally contain LSD. It contains ergot alkaloids, including compounds related to lysergic acid, but those are not the same substance as LSD. A chemical relationship does not make ergot a safe or predictable psychedelic.
Is ergot a mushroom?
Ergot is a fungus, but it is not a typical mushroom with a cap and stem. Claviceps fungi grow as parasites in grass flowers, and some form sclerotia that replace developing grain. Never eat a wild mushroom or unidentified fungus without expert identification.
Why is ergot dangerous?
Some ergot fungi produce alkaloids that can poison people or animals if contaminated grain or forage is consumed. Effects vary with the compounds and exposure, and ergot can also harm crop quality. Suspected contaminated food or feed should be treated as a safety concern, not as a source of psychoactive effects.
Related terms
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Written by the Pscilly editorial team and reviewed November 2026. Educational content only, not medical or legal advice. Pscilly does not sell psilocybin. Never eat a wild mushroom without expert identification.