Ergot fungi are molds that infect rye and other cereals and wild grasses (Microsoft Encarta 1999). The scientific name of the most prevalent form of ergot is Claviceps Purpurea. When wind-tossed spores of ergot land on a healthy stigma of grains or grasses they enter, as does pollen, into the ovary and begin to form a fine mycelial network (Salvador and Kolla 1). The mycelia network commonly called honeydew begins forming asexually produced spores, which are called conidiospores (Walker 546). The honeydew is a sugary-like thing which attract insects who feed on the sugary substance and they in turn carry spores whi

ch get stuck to their legs to healthy plants and in turn infect those plants (Salvador and Kolla 1). The mycelial network deep inside the ovary eventually kills the ovary and forms a dense hard structure called a sclerotium. The honeydew is not responsible for the production of the toxic chemicals, which in their own turn causes the disease known as ergotism.

Ergot has been widely used for many centuries. It has been used for a number of different reasons from its medicinal uses, to its use as a recreational drug. It also has been the cause of many epidemics across Europe from the early tenth to the late nineteenth centuries. Knowledge of this fungus has increased throughout the years; however, further research into the derivatives may still produce beneficial uses. The spread of ergotism has pretty much been stopped throughout the world, but people must let their guard down against this creeping enemy, people must protect themselves at all times lest they get taken advantage of by this fungus.

D-lysergic acid diethylamide otherwise known as LSD is synthesized from ergot (228). Perhaps one of the most famous derivatives of ergot is this chemical. In 1938, two Swiss researchers, Hoffman and Stoll, derived d-lysergic acid diethylamide (Salvador and Kolla 2). LSD was relatively uninteresting until one day when Hoffman pulled some out of storage and accidentally took some of the drug and discovered its properties. LSD is one of the most famous psychotomimetic (capable of inducing a mental state that closely resembles psychosis, Webster's, 1147), and was used widely in North America and Europe throughout the 60's & 70's (Salvador and Kolla 2). During this time LSD had widespread use among people who sought to alter and intensify their physical senses; to achieve supposed insights into the univ

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