Tuber (fungus) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tuber (fungus) |
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| Tuber gibbosum | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Pezizomycetes |
| Order: | Pezizales |
| Family: | Tuberaceae |
| Genus: | Tuber P.Micheli ex F.H.Wigg. |
| Type species | |
| Tuber aestivum Vittad.
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Tuber is a genus (a group of related living things) in the Tuberaceae family of fungi. Scientists believe these fungi first appeared around 156 million years ago, during the end of the Jurassic period. This group includes many types of truffles, which are highly valued as a special food.
Different Kinds of Truffles
The Dictionary of the Fungi (published in 2008) lists 86 different species in the Tuber group. These fungi are found all over the world. Some of the most famous and expensive truffles belong to this group.
Here are a few examples of Tuber species:
- Tuber aestivum: Also known as the Summer Truffle, found across Europe.
- Tuber brumale: The Winter Truffle, common in Southern Europe.
- Tuber magnatum: The famous White Truffle, mainly found in Italy.
- Tuber melanosporum: The highly prized Black Truffle, found in Spain, France, and Italy.
- Tuber lyonii: Also called the Pecan Truffle, found in North America.
- Tuber gibbosum: Found in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
New Discoveries
Scientists are still finding new types of truffles!
- In 2015, a new species called Tuber petrophilum was found in the Dinaric Alps in Serbia. It is closely related to the Black Truffle (Tuber melanosporum) and the Winter Truffle (Tuber brumale).
- In 2016, two more new species were discovered in Brazil. These were named Tuber floridanum and Tuber brennemanii. They grow near the roots of pecan trees. Tuber floridanum is even known by a commercial name, Trufa Sapucaya, which means 'The last Guarany breath'.
See also
In Spanish: Tuber para niños
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Tuber (fungus) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.