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Experts say these formations, called sclerotia, can exist for years, but the fruiting bodies desired by mushroom pickers appear only when conditions are right, and that might not be for decades.

Experts say these formations, called sclerotia, can exist for years, but the fruiting bodies desired by mushroom pickers only appear when conditions are right, and that might not be for decades.

Ergot is the name given to the spore, the sclerotium, of the parasitic filamentous fungus Claviceps purpurea, which attacks various cereal grains and wild grasses, especially rye.

The wilting and shrivelling of Clover is sometimes due to Sclerotinia, the mycelium of which pervades the roots and stock, on which the sclerotia may be found.

The functions of mycelial strands, rhizomorphs and sclerotia are not only to collect and store materials, but also to extend the fungus, and in many cases similar strands act as organs of attack.