Morels, Truffles and other Spring Mushrooms
by Michael W. Beug Email: beugm@evergreen.edu
The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA
Slide 36.
Truncocolumella citrina is one of the few false truffles
that is readily identified without a microscope. The stump-like to branched
columella in the interior and the yellow to buff coloration are distinctive.
There is one other described species in the genus, T. rubra
which has a reddish or reddish-staining exterior and a blue staining dingy
yellow spore mass. Several additional species await naming. They are thought
to be closely related to the boletes. Truncocolumella citrina
can be abundant in association with Douglas-fir and is frequently found
sticking through the forest litter in the summer and early autumn. When
soft-ripe, it can be delicious spread raw on a cracker. The odor is fruity
to mushroomy. There can be a strong licorice-like after-taste.
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