Home >> Science & Nature >> Nature

Truffle Hunting in Oregon

Truffles are subterranean fungi. Gourmands prize the fruiting body of some species, such as the black truffles of Europe, the epicenter of truffle-hunting and marketing. But these underground delectables grow elsewhere, and in the United States, one of the prime hunting locations is Oregon.

Oregon Truffles
- A number of kinds of truffles of different genera grow in the Pacific Northwest. They include the Oregon black truffle, a member of the so-called smooth-spored truffle group and the Oregon white truffle, a "true" truffle that is one of the most sought-after in the region.
Ecological Indicators
- According to the book, "Mushrooms Demystified," Oregon white truffles often grow associated with Douglas firs, a common conifer in the coastal Northwest, and particularly with trees between 8 and 65 years old. Truffles typically are found within or at the edge of conifer tracts.
Hunting Tips
- Compared with terrestrial mushrooms, truffles can be difficult for to locate. Look for holes in the ground where animals like Western gray squirrels -- better equipped to detect underground delicacies -- may have been excavating truffles. Always make sure truffle-hunting is allowed on whatever piece of land you're eyeing and check for any regulations in terms of harvest amount and tools employed.

Nature