Truffle Genus: Saprogaster

Saprogaster sp. basidiospores

Kingdom: Fungi Phylum: Basidiomycota Order: Phallales Family: Uncertain

Spore Characters

Surface: Smooth.
Shape and Size: Ellipsoid to obovate, (5.0-) 6-7 x (3.5-) 4.5 µm, truncate base.
Wall: Single, <0.5 µm thick.
Color in Water: Hyaline.
Melzer's Reaction: Pale yellow.
Comments: Within the truffle-like Phallales, this genus most closely resembles Protubera, but lacks 'sutures' in the peridial subcutis connecting the epicutis to glebal chambers in Protubera (Fogel and States, 2001).

View photos of Saprogaster spores

Sporocarp Characters

Shape and Size: Subglobose, up to 20 x 20 x 15 mm.
Peridium: White to pale orange-yellow, bruises ochraceous, some debris attached at rough places, separates from gleba, especially when dry. Basal rhizomorph present.
Gleba: Pale yellow-brown, with small empty chambers radiating from center, gelatinous. Columella present, branching and extending halfway through gleba.
Odor: Mild to strong and unpleasant.

View photos of Saprogaster sporocarps

Name Derivation

Named by distinguished mycologist Robert Fogel and western U.S. mycologist Jack States (2001) from Greek sapros (rotten, putrid) and -gaster (belly) for its strong, unpleasant odor.

Distribution

Great Basin and adjacent cordillera of the western United States under Rocky Mountain pinon and singeleaf pinon pines.
Season: late May to late June above 2000 meters elevation.
Species known from North Temperate Forests: One.

Keys and Descriptions

Fogel and States (2001).