Paradoxa (fungus) facts for kids

Paradoxa is a group of special fungi called truffles. They belong to the Tuberaceae family. Imagine them as hidden treasures underground!

An Italian scientist named Oreste Mattirolo first described this group in 1935. For a long time, Paradoxa had only one known type of truffle. This is called being "monotypic."

Discovering New Paradoxa Truffles

Over time, scientists found more types of Paradoxa truffles. In 2009, a second type, Paradoxa gigantospora, was added to the group. It was moved from another truffle group called Tuber.

Later, a third type, P. sinensis, was also found. This was the second type discovered in China.

How Paradoxa Species Are Different

Scientists look at different features to tell Paradoxa species apart.

Paradoxa sinensis vs. Paradoxa gigantospora

P. sinensis has a fruit body that is a bit smaller than P. gigantospora. The fruit body is the part of the fungus that you can see, like a mushroom or a truffle.

Paradoxa sinensis vs. Paradoxa monospora

P. sinensis is different from P. monospora because its ascomata are yellowish to yellow-brown. Ascomata are the parts of the truffle that hold its spores, which are like tiny seeds.