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Glite Dictionary
Claviceps

Claviceps

9.9
A fungus that grows on rye and other grain plants and makes a poisonous growth called ergot
  • noun
  • /ˈklævɪˌsɛps/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Claviceps
  • Claviceps species are notorious for causing ergotism when their toxic compounds contaminate grain.

Examples

  • A field infected with Claviceps can suffer severe losses due to reduced yield and contaminated harvest.

  • Researchers are studying Claviceps to better understand how it infects cereal crops.

  • The Claviceps fungus can be harmful to crops.

  • Farmers should monitor Claviceps levels in their fields.

  • Claviceps species are notorious for causing ergotism when their toxic compounds contaminate grain.

  • A field infected with Claviceps can suffer severe losses due to reduced yield and contaminated harvest.

  • Researchers are studying Claviceps to better understand how it infects cereal crops.

Synonyms

genus Claviceps
vsClaviceps
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of fungi that grow on grasses and make poisons that can harm people or animals

has identical meaning but stresses production of ergot and hosts like rye

Compounds

Claviceps purpurea
  • NSFW
9.9

A fungus that infects grain plants like rye, turning seeds into dark growths and sometimes making chemicals used in medicine

genus Claviceps
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of fungi that grow on grasses and make poisons that can harm people or animals

Surface Forms

Claviceps singular
Clavicepses plural

Etymology

Claviceps comes from Latin parts meaning 'club' and 'head', with clava 'club' and -ceps 'head' (the same -ceps you see in biceps). It names the fungus because it makes dark, club-shaped 'heads' on grain, so the word reminds us that this parasite produces 'club heads' on cereal plants.