Ergot
(Ergot of Rye, Holy Fire, or St. Anthony's Fire)
Description
Less than 1cm: Use magnifying glass.
Fruit-body developes from a sclerotium fallen on the ground. Spherical, Ø 1.5-3 mm, ochrous to orange yellow, dotted with dark ostioles.
Stem reddish brown, 5-15 x 1-1.5 mm. Often several specimen on one sclerotium.
Occurrence
On grasses (Rye-grass) and grains (Rye). May to July.
Parasitic.