False Truffles

by Britt Bunyard
I
t’s quite likely that you are familiar knowledge of their tree
with truffles already. They are hosts is helpful, but so
the object of desire to many is knowledge of what
gastronomes and their pursuit rises they play host to. Very
to fever pitch about this time of the often, you will find
year, every year, in parts of Europe and hypogeous fruitbodies
the Pacific Northwest. Plucked from by noticing another
the soil, these ripe, fragrant (smelly to fungus—a parasite of the
some), underground nodules are found subterranean truffle—
on the roots of their symbiotic host tree. that forms a visible above
Experts know exactly when and where ground mushroom-like
to look. The most sought after, most sporocarp. Cool huh?
legendary species of truffles belong Read on.
to the genus Tuber, mycorrhizal fungi Focus on False Truffles
in the class Ascomycota (also known While truffles are the
as the Ascomycetes). There are other underground fruitbodies
truffles as well. Two great sources for of certain ascomycetous Elaphocordyceps capitata parasitizing
information on truffles are the Truffle fungi, false truffles Elaphomyces granulatus (Deer Truffle) in eastern
Issue of FUNGI we published a few analogously are the Pennsylvania. Note the very thick perideum in
years back (vol. 1, no. 3), which covers underground fruitbodies the close up. Photos courtesy S. Hamilton.
truffles from all over the world, and the of basidiomycetous
Field Guide to North American Truffles fungi. Some, including THE North aboveground for dissemination. They
(Trappe et al., 2007). American expert on truffles, James typically produce strong odors to attract
No matter how knowledgeable Trappe, consider all hypogeous fungal rodents and other mammals that dig
of truffles you are, it’s likely you’re sporocarps to be truffles. It doesn’t them up, consume them, and spread
completely unfamiliar with false truffles. matter that much, as long as we know their spores in their feces. (As is the case
Members of this group of hypogeous what we’re talking about. Frankly, the with truffles.) Those strong pheromonal
(underground) Basidiomycetes are all fungus doesn’t care one way or the other odors are what drive humans to pursue
but unknown by most, including the what we think. truffles. While no false truffles are
most ardent mycophiles. As with truffles, false truffles are spore sought with the same fervor as their
To find truffles and false truffles, bearing and need to get their spores ascomycete doppelgangers, many are
26 FUNGI Volume 4:5 Winter 2011
Darvin DeShazer rakes soil beneath Douglas fir for Rhizopogon (right) false truffles in Sonoma County, CA.
Photos, B. Bunyard.
indeed quite palatable (again, consult Elaphocordyceps (formerly Cordyceps)

Trappe et al., 2007). Be forewarned that capitata which is an ascomycete parasite
many are inedible; some even considered of the truffle Elaphomyces. (That’s
toxic. And it stands to reason: false right: Elaphomyces are true truffles, so
truffles are underground fruitbodies of in this case it's asco-on-asco action!)
several groups of mushroom producing Elaphocordyceps capitata appears as
fungi (for review, see Bunyard, 2008). For an upright club-shaped fruiting body
example Thaxterogaster is a close relative with a distinct “head.” The fruiting body
of Cortinarius which is notorious for will be attached to the truffle just below
several quite toxic mushroom species, the soil surface or maybe even several
thus Thaxterogaster species are best inches deep. Elaphomyces granulatus
avoided. Macowanites is more like a (the Deer Truffle) is considered the
sequestrate mushroom (see image), a most widely ranging of all truffles
mushroom that’s on its evolutionary way and occurs with a number of conifers
to becoming a false truffle; its relatives and hardwoods from all across North
lie with the Russulas and it is considered America (especially common in the
edible but insipid. It occurs in the northern climes), according to Trappe
Pacific NW from Oregon, north through et al. (2007). Notable features of the
Alaska. If any false truffles are actively Deer Truffle are its very thick, leathery
pursued, it’s the genus Rhizopogon. perideum (the outer “rind” of the
Species of Rhizopogon are numerous, truffle, see image) and its inner spore
relatively easily found, and probably mass which is powdery upon maturity
the best known of all false truffles (see (none of these characteristics make it
images). Some are even considered palatable on anyone’s list). Its parasite
palatable (Trappe et al., 2007), which Macowanites luteolus from is not commonly seen but fairly well
seems reasonable—their closest relative Vancouver Island, British Columbia. known from the Northeast and Pacific
are boletes of the genus Suillus. Collected and displayed by Oluna Northwest. And if you do find one, with
False truffles (and true truffles) Ceska. Photo, B. Bunyard. some careful digging, you’ll add two
range across North America and are species to your mushroom list!
ectomycorrizal with a wide assortment beneath your tree and rake the soil down References Cited
of trees. So, pretty much anywhere you a couple of inches. Truffles and false Bunyard, B.A. 2008. Truffles and false
have enough moisture for trees, it is truffles both will range from pea-sized truffles: a primer. Fungi 1(3): 15-18.
likely you will find false truffles. Your to golf ball-sized to even larger for some Trappe, M., F. Evans, and J. Trappe.
best bet is to consult the Field Guide Pacific NW truffles like Leucangium. 2007. Field Guide to North American
to North American Truffles then find Alternatively you can seek out fungal Truffles. 10 Speed Press, Berkeley;
a garden rake, pull back the duff from parasites. Probably the best known is 136 pp.
FUNGI Volume 4:5 Winter 2011 27

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by Britt Bunyard

indeed quite palatable (again, consult Elaphocordyceps (formerly Cordyceps)

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