Claviceps
A genus of ascomycetous fungi, family Clavicipitaceae, order Hypocreales, parasitic on various grasses (POACEAE). The sclerotia contain several toxic alkaloids. Claviceps purpurea on rye causes ergotism.
Ergot Alkaloids
Alkaloids originally isolated from the ergot fungus Claviceps purpurea (Hypocreaceae). They include compounds that are structurally related to ergoline (ERGOLINES) and ergotamine (ERGOTAMINES). Many of the ergot alkaloids act as alpha-adrenergic antagonists.
Lysergic Acid
Lysergic acid is a crystalline ergoline alkaloid found in the fungus Claviceps purpurea, which is used as a precursor in the synthesis of medically important derivatives like LSD and ergotamine, but it also has hallucinogenic properties when ingested directly.