| Terfezia | |
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| Terfezia spp. | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Genus: | Terfezia |
| Type species | |
| Terfezia arenaria | |
| Species | |
34, see text | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
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Terfezia (Berber: Tirfas) is a genus of truffle-like fungi within the Pezizaceae family. Terfezia species are commonly known as desert truffles. Some authorities consider this the type genus of the family Terfeziaceae, [1] although phylogenetic analysis suggests that it nests within the Pezizaceae. [2] The Dictionary of the Fungi (10th edition, 2008) suggests that the genus contains 12 species. [2] A recent (2011) publication used molecular analysis to show that the American Terfezia species had been incorrectly classified, and moved Terfezia spinosa and Terfezia longii to Mattirolomyces and Stouffera , respectively; as a result, no Terfezia species are known to exist in North America. [3]
Israeli agricultural scientists have been attempting to domesticate T. boudieri into a commercial crop. Terfezia boudieri’s host plant, Helianthemum sessiliflorum, has slim, dark leaves and twigs bearing small yellow flowers. [4]
As of December 2015 [update] , Index Fungorum accepts 34 species in Terfezia: [5]