Truffle Genus: Alpova
 Alpova diplophloeus basidiospore |
Kingdom: Fungi Phylum: Basidiomycota Order: Boletales Family: Boletaceae |
Spore Characters
Surface: Smooth.
Shape and Size: Mostly longitudinally symmetrical and cylindrical to fusoid, but some species have ellipsoid or irregularly shaped spores, 5-15 (-20) x 8 µm; attachment straight.
Wall: Single, 0.5-2 µm in thickness; apical pore lacking.
Color in Water: Hyaline to pale brown-yellow; spores that are individually hyaline are often yellow to brown-yellow in mass.
Melzer's Reaction: None.
Comments: Closely related to Rhizopogon and Truncocolumella. Spores of all three genera are similar, making differentiation by spores alone nearly impossible. Other structures must be used to separate these genera. Spores of Gastroboletus spp. may also be confused with Alpova spores.
View photos of Alpova spores
Sporocarp Characters
Shape and Size: Globose to slightly irregular, rarely exceeding 2 cm in diameter.
Peridium: Peridium with large rounded cells and clamp connections.
Gleba: Solid, gelatinous, often sticky to the touch, the spores being borne in a gelatinous matrix that fills the chambers walled off by meandering veins, usually staining red-brown when exposed.
Odor: Fruity to unpleasant.
Comments: Most of the present Alpova species will eventually be transferred to Rhizopogon based on molecular data. The true Alpova spp. are Alnus associates.
View photos of Alpova sporocarps