The hidden life of truffles

James M. Trappe; Andrew W. Claridge

Treesearch

The hidden life of truffles

Formally Refereed

Authors:

James M. Trappe, Andrew W. Claridge

Year:

2010

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

Source:

Scientific American. April: 78-84

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Download (PDF 2.42 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/37239.pdf

Abstract

Truffles, like mushrooms, are the fruit of fungi. These fleshy organs are temporary reproductive structures that produce spores, which eventually germinate and give rise to new offspring. What sets truffles apart from mushrooms is that their spore-laden fruit forms below ground rather than above. Technically, true truffles are those fungi that belong to the Ascomycota phylum of organisms and are marketed as food.

Keywords

truffles, ecosystems, food

Citation

Trappe, James M.; Claridge, Andrew W. 2010. The hidden life of truffles. Scientific American. April: 78-84.