Claviceps

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Claviceps

Claviceps (/klævɪsɛps/), commonly known as ergot fungus, is a genus of fungi in the family Clavicipitaceae. The genus contains about 50 known species, all of which are parasitic on grasses.

Etymology

The term "Claviceps" is derived from the Latin clava meaning club, and ceps meaning head, referring to the club-like shape of the fungus.

Description

Claviceps species are characterized by their ability to infect rye and other cereals, producing alkaloid toxins that can cause ergotism in humans and other mammals who consume grains contaminated with its fruiting structure (called an ergot sclerotium). The sclerotia are dark purple and resemble a grain of rye, but are larger and shaped differently.

Related Terms

  • Ergotism: The effect of long-term ingestion of grains contaminated with Claviceps' fruiting structure.
  • Sclerotium: A compact mass of hardened fungal mycelium containing food reserves.
  • Alkaloid: A class of naturally occurring organic compounds that mostly contain basic nitrogen atoms.
  • Clavicipitaceae: A family of fungi in the order Hypocreales, many of which are pathogenic to insects and other fungi.

See Also

  • Ergotamine: A medication used to treat migraine headaches.
  • Ergoline: A class of compounds derived from alkaloids, which are found in Claviceps species.

References

  • Tudzynski, P., Correia, T., & Keller, U. (2001). Biotechnology and genetics of ergot alkaloids. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 57(5-6), 593-605.
  • Schumann, G. L., & D'Arcy, C. J. (2010). Essential plant pathology. APS press.

External links

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