Ergot-infected rye

Other authors, however, came to different conclusions when they transferred ergot from Lolium sp. to rye (Bekesy, 1956) or to wheat (Bretag and Merriman, 1981). Kybal and Brejcha (1956) succeeded in infecting rye with ergot from Phragmites and Molinia, whereas Campbell (1957) found no host preferences at all in Canadian isolates. 

Ergot alkaloids, e.g. elymoclavine (7.55), are produced by a fungus, Clavicepspurpurea, which infects rye and other grasses. They have been extensively studied and there are several fascinating aspects of their biosynthesis. 

There are several species of ergot which differ in morphology and host plants. Claviceps purpurea readily infects rye but also infects barley, wheat, and more than 100 grasses. Other species infect rice, wheat, millet, and corn. The ergot of corn observed in the humid parts of Mexico is up to 8 cm long and 5 cm thick. 

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