Sclerotium

Sclerotium is a hard, multicellular tuber-like body formed towards the end of the vegetative season by the close union of the ordinary mycelial filaments of Fungi (q.v.). It represents the dormant or resting stage of the fungus, but is not common to all fungi. At the beginning of the period of growth it sends out filaments or groups of filaments which carry on the active life-history of the individual, and soon the store of nourishment is absorbed from the sclerotium by these filaments. The Ergot of Rye (q.v.) is the sclerotium of the fungus Claviceps purpurea.