A truffle is the fruiting body of a subterranean ascomycete fungus, one of the species of the genus Tuber. More than one hundred other genera of fungi are classified as truffles including Geopora, Peziza, Choiromyces, and Leucangium. These genera belong to the class Pezizomycetes and the Pezizales order. Several truffle-like basidiomycetes are excluded from Pezizales, including Rhizopogon and Glomus. Truffles are ectomycorrhizal fungi, so they are found in close association with tree roots. Spore dispersal is accomplished through fungivores, animals that eat fungi. These fungi have ecological roles in nutrient cycling and drought tolerance.
The Pyronemataceae are a family of fungi in the order Pezizales. It is the largest family of the Pezizales, encompassing 75 genera and approximately 500 species. Phylogenetic analyses does not support the prior classifications of this family, and suggest that the family is not monophyletic as it is currently circumscribed.
Gautieria is a genus of hypogeal fungi in the family Gomphaceae. They form mycorrhizae with various tree species, mostly from the family Pinaceae. Species are present over much of the world's temperate and boreal forest habitats. It is well documented that species from this genera are an important part of the diet of the northern flying squirrel. Also, some Australian marsupials, especially the rat-kangaroos, feed extensively on these fungi. The fungi also benefit from this relationship: not only do the squirrels help to disperse the spores and propagate the species, studies suggest that passage through the digestive tract of a mammal promotes germination of spores.
Geopora is a genus of truffle-like fungi in the family Pyronemataceae, currently with 13 described species. The genus was circumscribed by mycologist Harvey Willson Harkness in 1885. Molecular phylogenetic reconstructions indicate that the cup-like apothecial Geopora should better be placed back in a separate genus, Sepultaria. Geopora would then only comprise Geopora cooperi and its close relatives.
Gilkeya is a genus of fungi in the family Pyronemataceae. It is monotypic, containing the single species Gilkeya compacta. It is named after the American mycologist Helen Margaret Gilkey (1886–1972).
Sowerbyella is a genus of fungi in the family Pyronemataceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, and contains 17 species found mostly in Europe and China.
Ramsbottomia is a genus of fungi in the family Pyronemataceae.
Ruhlandiella is a genus of fungi within the family Pezizaceae. Ruhlandiella species are exothecial hypogeous fungi, which are essentially truffles that lack the outer layer or peridium. Ruhlandiella species are widely distributed in Nothofagaceae forests in South America and near Eucalyptus or Melaleuca plants in Australia, North America, and Europe.
John-Axel Nannfeldt, born 18 January 1904 in Trelleborg and deceased 4 November 1985 in Uppsala, was a Swedish botanist and mycologist.
Hysterangium is a genus of truffle-like fungi in the family Hysterangiaceae. The genus is widespread, especially in temperate regions, and contains more than 60 species. Hysterangium was circumscribed by Italian mycologist Carlo Vittadini in 1831.
František Kotlaba was a Czech botanist and mycologist.
Mackintoshia is a fungal genus in the family Boletaceae. It was originally placed in Cortinariaceae. The genus is monotypic, containing the single truffle-like species Mackintoshia persica, found in Zimbabwe. This fungus, eaten by both the common duiker and the Karanga people, is little known outside the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe. Mackintoshia was circumscribed by Giovanni Pacioni and Cathy Sharp in 2000. The genus name honors British-Rhodesian farmer Robbie Mackintosh, who collected and documented some early specimens. The specific epithet persica is Latin for peach, referring to its odor.
Octaviania is a genus of truffle-like fungi in the family Boletaceae. The widespread genus is estimated to contain 15 species.
Malajczukia is a genus of truffle-like fungi in the Mesophelliaceae family. The genus contains eight species found in Australia and New Zealand.
Fischerula is a genus of two truffle-like fungi in the family Morchellaceae. First described from central Italy by Oreste Mattirolo in 1928, the genus name honors Swiss mycologist Eduard Fischer. The type species Fischerula macrospora is known only from Italy, while Fischerula subcaulis is found in coniferous and mixed forests of Oregon and Washington.
Tuber macrosporum, commonly known as the smooth black truffle, is a species of edible truffle in the family Tuberaceae. Found in Europe, and common in central Italy, the truffle was described as new to science by Italian mycologist Carlo Vittadini in 1831. The truffles are roughly spherical to irregular in shape, and typically measure 0.5 to 2 centimetres in diameter. The surface color ranges from reddish brown to rust to blackish. Warts on the fruit body surface are low, so that the truffle appears fairly smooth. The truffle flesh is purplish brown to grey-brown with thin white veins. It has an intense garlic-like odor similar to the Italian white truffle. Host plants of T. macrosporum include poplars, hazel, linden, and oaks.
Tuber foetidum is a species of truffle in the genus Tuber (fungus). It was first described scientifically in 1831 by the Italian doctor and mycologist Carlo Vittadini. It is characterized by its foetid odour, and minute brownish bumps on the surface of the fruitbody. A rare species, it is found in Europe. It associates with oak and beech in southern Europe, and with larch in the United Kingdom. Molecular analysis indicates that T. foetidum is closely related to T. maculatum.
Tuber borchii, known as the whitish truffle or bianchetto truffle, is a small, common species of edible truffle excellent for use in cuisine.
Genea harknessii, commonly known as the dark geode truffle, is a species of fungus in the genus Genea. The species was described by Helen Gilkey in 1916. The mature fruit has a convoluted, brain-like appearance and often is no larger than an adult's thumbnail. The exterior is dark brown with a hollow interior. The flesh between the dark interior and exterior 'skin' is white to pale grey.
