A parasitic fungus is a type of fungus that lives on or in another organism, often causing harm to the host. ERGOT (5 letters) is a type of parasitic fungus that grows on rye and other grains and can cause ergotism, a disease characterized by convulsions and hallucinations. SMUT (4 letters) is another type of parasitic fungus that affects plants, causing them to produce black spores. TINEA (5 letters) is a type of parasitic fungus that affects the skin, causing ringworm and other fungal infections.