Ergot is a fungous growth, Claviceps purpurea, that infects rye and related grains, producing potent alkaloids historically linked to folklore and medicine. In medicine, ergot refers to the plant-associated fungus or its derivatives (ergotamine, ergometrine) used in obstetrics. The term also appears in historical contexts, sometimes cautioning about plant toxins. It denotes a specific mushroom-like fungal disease affecting cereal crops and the pharmacologically active byproducts.
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