Tuber (fungus)

Last updated

Tuber
Tuber gibbosum 85547.jpg
Tuber gibbosum
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Pezizomycetes
Order: Pezizales
Family: Tuberaceae
Genus: Tuber
P.Micheli ex F.H.Wigg. (1780)
Type species
Tuber aestivum
(Wulfen) Spreng. (1827)
Synonyms [1]
List
  • TuberP.Micheli
  • Tuberium Raf.
  • Aschion Wallr.
  • EnsalutaZobel
  • LespiaultiniaZobel
  • OogasterCorda
  • Tuber subg. VittadinionZobel
  • VittadinionZobel
  • Terfeziopsis Harkn.
  • Delastreopsis Mattir.
  • Mukagomyces S.Imai
Harvested white truffle (Tuber magnatum) at Ceva, Cuneo, Italy Tuber magnatum Picco 690635.jpg
Harvested white truffle (Tuber magnatum) at Ceva, Cuneo, Italy

Tuber is a genus in the fungal family Tuberaceae, with estimated molecular dating to the end of the Jurassic period (156 Mya). [2] It includes several species of truffles that are highly valued as delicacies.

Contents

New discoveries

In 2015 a new species Tuber petrophilum (close relative to Tuber melanosporum and Tuber brumale ) was discovered in the Dinaric Alps (Southeastern Europe, Serbia). [3] In 2016, two new species were discovered in Brazil. Tuber floridanum (with the commercial name Trufa Sapucaya meaning 'The last Guarany breath') and Tuber brennemanii grow in association with pecan rootlets. [4] [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mycology</span> Branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi

Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their taxonomy, genetics, biochemical properties, and use by humans. Fungi can be a source of tinder, food, traditional medicine, as well as entheogens, poison, and infection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edible mushroom</span> Edible fungi fruit bodies

Edible mushrooms are the fleshy fruit bodies of several species of macrofungi. Edibility may be defined by criteria including the absence of poisonous effects on humans and desirable taste and aroma. Edible mushrooms are consumed for their nutritional and culinary value. Mushrooms, especially dried shiitake, are sources of umami flavor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pecan</span> Species of hickory native to the southern USA and northern Mexico

The pecan is a species of hickory native to the southern United States and northern Mexico in the region of the Mississippi River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Truffle</span> Fruiting body of a subterranean ascomycete fungus

A truffle is the fruiting body of a subterranean ascomycete fungus, predominantly one of the many species of the genus Tuber. In addition to Tuber, over 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 usually found in close association with tree roots. Spore dispersal is accomplished through fungivores, animals that eat fungi. These fungi have significant ecological roles in nutrient cycling and drought tolerance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerusalem artichoke</span> Species of sunflower native to eastern North America

The Jerusalem artichoke, also called sunroot, sunchoke, wild sunflower, topinambur, or earth apple, is a species of sunflower native to central North America. It is cultivated widely across the temperate zone for its tuber, which is used as a root vegetable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terfeziaceae</span> Family of fungi

The Terfeziaceae, or desert truffles, is a family of truffles endemic to arid and semi-arid areas of the Mediterranean Region, North Africa, and the Middle East, where they live in ectomycorrhizal association with Helianthemum species and other ectomycorrhizal plants. This group consists of three genera: Terfezia, Tirmania, and Mattirolomyces. They are a few centimetres across and weigh from 30 to 300 grams (1–10 oz). Desert truffles are often used as a culinary ingredient.

<i>Tuber magnatum</i> Species of edible fungus

Tuber magnatum, the white truffle, is a species of truffle in the order Pezizales and family Tuberaceae. It is found in southern Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2,4-Dithiapentane</span> Chemical compound

2,4-Dithiapentane is an organosulfur compound. It is a colorless liquid with a strong odor.

<i>Hydnum</i> Genus of fungi

Hydnum is a genus of fungi in the family Hydnaceae. They are notable for their unusual spore-bearing structures of teeth rather than gills. The best known are the edible species Hydnum repandum and H. rufescens. There are no known toxic varieties of Hydnum. Widely regarded as important maintainers of forest ecosystems, the Hydnum genus is known to have ectomycorrhizal relationships with multiple plant families. Hydnum has many brittle, white teeth from which the spores drop. Some species have teeth which hang from ascending branches, while other species have teeth which project downwards from the undersurfaces of dead wood. Most Hydnum species are safe to eat, and contain many fatty acids and antioxidants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pecan truffle</span> Species of truffle (Tuber lyonii)

Tuber lyonii, also known as the American brown truffle or the pecan truffle, is a species of truffle native to North America. The pecan truffle is so named because it is most commonly found in pecan orchards, in association with the pecan tree. However, the pecan is not its only symbiote. Formerly considered nothing more than a nuisance by pecan farmers, the pecan truffle has been gaining in popularity as an edible mushroom in recent years and can fetch over $160 per pound at market.

<i>Tuber aestivum</i> Summer or burgundy truffle

The summer truffle or burgundy truffle is a species of truffle, found in almost all European countries.

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.

<i>Tuber oregonense</i> Species of fungus

Tuber oregonense, commonly known as the Oregon white truffle, is a species of edible truffle in the genus Tuber. Described as new to science in 2010, the North American species is found on the western coast of the United States, from northern California to southern British Columbia west of the Cascade Range. A mycorrhizal fungus, it grows in a symbiotic association with Douglas fir. It overlaps in distribution with the closely related T. gibbosum, but they have different growing seasons: T. oregonense typically appears from October through March, while T. gibbosum grows from January to June. The fruit bodies of the fungus are roughly spherical to irregular in shape, and resemble small potatoes up to 5 cm (2 in) in diameter. Inside the truffle is the gleba, which is initially white before it becomes a marbled tan color. The large, often thick-walled, and strongly ornamented spores are produced in large spherical asci. The truffle is highly prized for its taste and aroma. Some individuals have claimed success in cultivating the truffles in Christmas tree farms.

<i>Tuber gibbosum</i> Species of fungus

Tuber gibbosum is a species of truffle in the genus Tuber. It is found in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, where it grows in an ectomycorrhizal association with Douglas-fir. It is commercially collected between as early as October and into March.

<i>Tuber sinoexcavatum</i> Species of fungus

Tuber sinoexcavatum is a species of truffle in the family Tuberaceae. Described as a new species in 2011, it is found in China. The pale yellowish-brown to brown truffles measure up to 3 cm (1.2 in) in diameter. The species is named for its close resemblance to the common European truffle T. excavatum.

<i>Tuber melanosporum</i> Black truffle

Tuber melanosporum, called the black truffle,Périgord truffle or French black truffle, is a species of truffle native to Southern Europe. It is one of the most expensive edible fungi in the world. In 2013, the truffle cost between 1,000 and 2,000 euros per kilogram.

<i>Tuber donnagotto</i> Species of fungus

Tuber donnagotto is a species of truffle in the family Tuberaceae. Described as a new species in 2012, it is found in Croatia. The black truffle measures 2–7 cm (0.8–2.8 in) in diameter.

Pachyphloeus depressus is a species of ascomycete fungus that forms truffle-like fruitbodies. It is found in southwestern China, where it has been reported from Qiaojia County, Yunnan Province, and Huili County, Sichuan Province. These counties are both near the Jinsha River. Fruitbodies of the fungus are smooth and greenish-brown—distinctive features in the genus Pachyphloeus. They measure 0.9–2.1 cm (0.4–0.8 in) in diameter, and have a rubbery texture. When ripe, the odor of the flesh is similar to burned potatoes. Spores are spherical, measuring 15.7–20 µm with coarse rod-like spines up to 2.5 µm on the surface. The fungus has been called the "green female truffle" because of its superficial resemblance to the locally common species Tuber pseudohimalayense.

<i>Tuber indicum</i> Species of truffle

Tuber indicum, commonly known as the Chinese black truffle or the Asian black truffle, is an edible fungus known for its hypogean fruiting bodies, characteristic of the Tuber genus. It is found natively in Himalayan India and parts of China, but has also been found invasively in the United States and Italy. It is sold commercially and often confused with Tuber melanosporum.

References

  1. "Tuber P. Micheli ex F.H. Wigg. 1780". MycoBank. International Mycological Association. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
  2. Maccarrone, Mauro (2020-12-01). "Phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids: different in nature". Rendiconti Lincei. Scienze Fisiche e Naturali. 31 (4): 931–938. doi: 10.1007/s12210-020-00957-z . ISSN   1720-0776.
  3. Milenković, Miroljub; Grebenc, Tine; Marković, Miroslav; Ivančević, Boris (October–December 2015). "Tuber petrophilum, a new truffle species from Serbia". Mycotaxon. 130 (4): 1141–1152. doi: 10.5248/130.1141 .
  4. Marcelo Aloisio Sulzbacher; Jonas Janner Hamann; Diniz Fronza; Rodrigo Josemar Seminoti Jacques; Admir José Giachini; Tine Grebenc; Zaida Inês Antoniolli (2019). "FUNGOS ECTOMICORRÍZICOS EM PLANTAÇÕES DE NOGUEIRA-PECÃ E O POTENCIAL DA TRUFICULTURA NO BRASIL". Ciênc. Florest. 29–2 (2): 975–987. doi: 10.5902/1980509827581 .
  5. Arthur C Grupe 2nd; Marcelo A Sulzbacher; Tine Grebenc; Rosanne Healy; Gregory Bonito; Matthew E Smith (2018). "Tuber brennemanii and Tuber floridanum: Two new Tuber species are among the most commonly detected ectomycorrhizal taxa within commercial pecan (Carya illinoinensis) orchards". Mycologia. 110 (4): 780–790. doi:10.1080/00275514.2018.1490121. PMID   30130456. S2CID   52056622.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)