The term 'Beard of Grain' is a phrase used to describe the awns, ARISTA, and ERGOT found on certain types of grains. An AWN is a bristle-like appendage found on the lemma and palea of some grasses, while an ARISTA is a stiff hair or bristle found on the spikelets of some grasses. ERGOT is a fungus that grows on the heads of certain grains, such as rye. All three of these components are collectively referred to as the 'Beard of Grain'.