Desert Truffles: Phylogeny, Physiology, Distribution and Domestication: 38 Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2014 Edition

From the reviews:

“This new book is very wide-ranging. … The editors are to be commended for bringing so many researchers together to produce such a wide-ranging and authoritative synthesis, which will surely be the key reference work in desert truffles, in the Mediterranean region particularly, for some decades.” (IMA Fungus, Vol. 4 (1), December, 2013)

Desert truffles are found in every known desert, irrespective of the habitat – cool or hot, loamy or acidic, sandy or heavy soil – the only common condition seems to be a limited supply of water. In contrast to ‘true’ truffles, desert truffles have evolved over time in different families, mainly within the order Pezizales. While in some arid areas, desert truffles have been traditionally used as food, in most regions interest has only recently been increasing, and truffles are now treasured for their nutritional value, as an income source and for research.

This volume gives a comprehensive overview of the phylogeny, biology, mycorrhizal association, and distribution of desert truffles, their use, biochemical and medicinal properties, as well as their domestication and cultivation.