Scle·ro·ti·um n.; pl. Sclerotia
 1. Bot. A hardened body formed by certain fungi, as by the Claviceps purpurea, which produces ergot.
 2. Zool. The mature or resting stage of a plasmodium.

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 Er·got n.
 1. A diseased condition of rye and other cereals, in which the grains become black, and often spur-shaped. It is caused by a parasitic fungus, Claviceps purpurea.
 2. The mycelium or spawn of this fungus infecting grains of rye and wheat. It is a powerful remedial agent, and also a dangerous poison, and is used as a means of hastening childbirth, and to arrest bleeding.
 3. Far. A stub, like soft horn, about the size of a chestnut, situated behind and below the pastern joint.
 4. Anat. See 2d Calcar, 3 (b).

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 Claviceps purpurea
      n : a fungus that infects various cereal plants forming compact
          black masses of branching filaments that replace many
          grains of the plant; source of medicinally important
          alkaloids and of lysergic acid [syn: ergot]