Monograph of the Truffles

The Tuberaceae truffle family are common in different regions of the earth, occurring more frequently in temperate climates. They prefer shady, elevated locations, especially oak forests. Several species are highly praised as food.

Based on the form of the fruiting body and the nature of the peridium, the entire order can be appropriately divided into two suborders.

CHARACTER. Uterus the fruiting body variable in form, equipped with a spurious peridium, internally cellular-fleshy; cells are spore-bearing literally: "hymen-bearing", with sporidia enclosed in asci.

ABERRATIONS. The peridium in Hysterangium is more essential and somewhat distinct; in Gautieria it is obsolete. The asci in Hysterangium and Octaviana are suspected of being absent or transitory.

Obs. The suborder is similar in external appearance to the genuine Gasteromycetes (Scleroderma, Elaphomyces, etc.); it is analogous to uterine Hymenomycetes (Polyporus, Boletus) in its fructification.

SECTION I. Prototypes. Sporidia naked? and immersed in a mucous-liquefying layer.

1. HYSTERANGIUM
2. OCTAVIANIA

SECTION II. Central. Sporidia enclosed in persistent asci.

3. HYMENOGASTER

SECTION III. Peak. Asci also on the surface; peridium obsolete.

4. GAUTIERIA