Ergot fungus on wheat

We saw this Ergot fungus on Wheat that was growing in the wild at Beaverdam Flats park.

"Ergot infects many cereals and grasses; these include (in order of decreasing susceptibility), rye, triticale, wheat and barley. Oats are rarely affected..... The presence of ergot in wheat and barley in Alberta has been strongly correlated with soils that are low in copper, or with management practices that cause a copper deficiency in cereals..... Ergot bodies are HIGHLY POISONOUS. Alkaloids in ergot are extremely toxic to humans and livestock. Ergot alkaloids have been detected in flour and cereals intended for human as well as animal feeds." From www1.agric.gov.ab.ca.