Claviceps purpurea – ergot, spurred rye
Description: Claviceps purpurea produces miniature, ocher to reddish brow, drumstick-like "fruitbodies," the heads of which are actually sterile stroma in which the true fruitbodies are immersed. These fruitbodies arise from banana-shaped, purplish black sclerotia- propagules that formed in the ears of grain, were shed, and have overwintered on the ground.
Habitat: grassland
Substrate: grass, especially rye