Until quite recently but one species of Truffle has been reported as growing in America. This, Tuber niveum Desf. or Terfezia leonis Tul. was found by Rev. A.B. Langlois, St. Martinville, La. He reported it as growing plentifully, buried or nearly so in the red sand land along the Red river near Natchitoches. He writes me: “The people where it is found are looking for it with great care and are eating it with great relish. I had occasion to eat it once and I found it delicious.” He kindly sent the original illustration from which the accompanying drawing was made. It was taken from Jour. Myc., January, 1887, J. B. Ellis, who first published a description of the American representative of the species. He describes it as “subglobose, up to full two inches in diameter, strongly plicate or furrowed below, nearly smooth and pale reddish-brown outside, marbled-white within and of compact texture much like a potato, but softer. When first dug from the ground the color is pure white, the reddish tint being due to exposure to the air. The asci obovate or subglobose, 75–80×60–70µ. Each contains eight globose spores, thickly clothed with obtuse, elongated, wart-like tubercles and about 20µ in diameter. The home of the white Truffle is said to be in Northern Africa, though it is not uncommon in Southern Europe, where its growth is favored by mild winters.”
It is probable that the Truffle will be found in other southern states. Perhaps in the north, as Fries reports that two specimens were found near Linkoping, Sweden, and Mr. H.W. Harkness reports Tubers in the Sierras at the height of 7,000 feet. It is worth hunting for.
It is possible that the common Truffle—Tuber æstivum—will be found in America. Fame awaits the finder. A description of it with illustration is therefore given.
Tuber æstivum.
(Common Truffle.
A. Plant. B. Section showing interior.
Tuber æsti´vum Vitt. Peridium warty, of a blackish-brown color, the warts polygonal and striate; flesh transversed by numerous veins; asci 4–6-spored; spores elliptical, reticulated.
This plant, the common Truffle of our markets, is abundant in Wiltshire and some other parts of England, and probably occurs in many places where it escapes observation from its subterranean habit. Badham.
It is cultivated largely in France. “Perigord Truffles” are a costly delicacy. The Truffle is of subterranean habit, growing under various kinds of trees and from 12–48 in. under ground. As it does not manifest its presence above ground, dogs and pigs are trained to find it by scent. An interesting chapter on Truffles will be found in British Edible Fungi, M.C. Cooke, 1891. Any plant of similar habit, when found, should be immediately sent by the finder to a known expert for identification.
Thirteen species of Tuber and several Terfeziæ are reported in California, and are described and beautifully illustrated in “California Hypogæous Fungi” by H.W. Harkness, “Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences,” 1899.