Leymus condensatus--Giant Ryegrass

Maybe there is real rye someplace at the UC Botanical Garden, but I don't know where. Is it Lolium? Secale? I can't figure it out. But we do have a California native rye. Leymus is susceptible to to ergot just like rye used for food.

Ergot is a fungus that  has several effects. It narrows blood vessels, increases uterine contractions, and causes hallucinations. Starting in the 1400s, midwives used ergot to speed the delivery of the placenta, and reduce bleeding after birth. At a time when when Europeans generally believed that all knowledge came from god through the bible, midwives, who learned about the natural world and made use of their knowledge, were suspect and called witches.  Ergot causes stomach problems if eaten. Therefor, it was generally applied to mucus membranes with a dildo. To reduce the chance that men would interfere with their work (and hallucinogenic fun) midwives disguised their dildos as brooms. Since the hallucinations were often about flying, witches are often depicted flying on their brooms.



When people eat it inadvertently, bigger problems arise. Some researches think that the Salem Witch Trials were a result of ergot poisoning. Perhaps after a wet winter, people ate bread made from infected rye. The ergot can cause people to tremble, writhe, spasm and seize. They scream and dance because they feeling like they are burning. So maybe they seemed like they were possessed or like they were witches. Then others were perhaps not so seriously infected, but still poisoned enough that they were irrational. So my guess is that both the accused and the accusers were sick. But no one really knows.

By narrowing blood vessels, too much ergot can cause reduced blood flow to the extremities. Worst case scenario, hands and feet and die and fall off. So serious side effects are possible, and careful dosing is necessary.

(Intoxicating Plant)