ENDescription
Claviceps purpurea is an ergot fungus that grows on the ears of rye and related cereal and forage plants. Eating grain contaminated with the the ergot sclerotium (fungal survival structure) can cause ergotism in humans and other mammals. The sclerotium contains the alkaloid ergotamine, and was used as a medicine called "ergota" or "Secale cornutum" used to induce abortions and to stop maternal bleeding after childbirth. "Pulvis parturiens" was an ergot preparation used to treat prolonged labor, but quickly fell out of favor.
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