Ergot Fungi: Saint Anthony’s Fire

There is a theory that the Salem witch trials were partially caused by ergot poisoning (St. Anthony’s Fire).

Ergot fungi, belonging to the genus Claviceps, primarily infect cereal grains and grasses. Ergot fungi are believed to have evolved alongside grasses, their primary hosts. The co-evolution with grasses has enabled them to develop sophisticated mechanisms for infection and dispersal.

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