Hofmann suspected that these chemicals were not being produced by the morning glory plant itself, but rather by a "hidden fungus" living within the plant, much like the ergot fungus that grows on rye. Despite his revolutionary work in chemistry, neither Hofmann nor the generations of researchers who followed him were able to find the specific organism responsible. The fungus remained "clandestine," effectively hiding in plain sight within the plant’s anatomy. By naming the new species Periglandula clandestina, Hazel and Panaccione paid homage to this history, acknowledging the organism’s ability to elude scientific detection for more than eighty years.
To confirm that the "fuzz" she found was indeed a new species, Hazel and the research team prepared DNA samples for rigorous analysis. The sequencing of the fungus’s genome was a critical step in the process, funded in part by a WVU Davis College Student Enhancement Grant that Hazel had secured. The results of the sequencing were definitive, confirming that the organism was a unique species never before documented in scientific literature. The genetic sequence has since been deposited into a global gene bank, with Hazel’s name officially attached to the discovery.
Professor Panaccione, who has spent much of his career studying the intersection of fungi and plant biology, emphasized the magnitude of Hazel’s achievement. He noted that for an undergraduate student to lead the way in sequencing a genome and identifying a new species is an extraordinary feat. The discovery was later published in the peer-reviewed journal Mycologia, cementing its place in the formal scientific record.
The pharmaceutical potential of Periglandula clandestina lies in its remarkable efficiency. The fungus is highly adept at producing ergot alkaloids in large quantities. While these chemicals can be dangerous in their raw form—historically causing mass poisonings known as "St. Anthony’s Fire" when consumed via contaminated grain—they are also the foundation for a wide range of essential medicines. Beyond the current interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health, ergot alkaloids are already utilized in treating migraines, managing Parkinson’s disease, addressing dementia-related symptoms, and controlling uterine hemorrhaging after childbirth.
The primary challenge for medical science has always been the fine line between the therapeutic benefits of these compounds and their potential for toxicity. Many current ergot-based medications carry unwanted side effects due to the complexity of the molecules. Panaccione suggested that by studying Periglandula clandestina, researchers might finally be able to understand the exact biosynthetic pathways the fungus uses to create these chemicals. This knowledge could allow scientists to "bypass the side effects" by modifying the compounds at the molecular level or by developing more precise dosages.
