Fungus · GBIF taxon 3494941
Desert Truffle
Terfezia claveryiAlso known as Kameh, Terfez, Brown Desert Truffle
Desert truffles form potato-like subterranean fruiting bodies in arid and semi-arid regions of North Africa and the Middle East. They depend on a symbiotic mycorrhizal relationship with rockrose shrubs, exchanging water and minerals deep beneath dry soil. As these underground fungi swell after winter rains, they create characteristic radial cracks on the desert surface that signal their presence to wildlife.
HypogeousSymbioticDesert Species
Licensed referenceAlexis Lours / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Symbiotic (Mycorrhizal)
Predators
- Small Mammals
- Wild Boars
- Insects
ThreatsHabitat Degradation, Desertification, Overharvesting
HabitatsArid Shrublands, Deserts, Semi-Arid Steppes
Life spanPerennial mycelium
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPezizaceae
- SpeciesTerfezia claveryi
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Many wild fungi have dangerous look-alikes; never eat wild mushrooms based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
- Surface Cracks: Search for subtle starburst fractures in dry soil near rockrose shrubs.
- Rainfall Timing: Observe shortly after spring rains trigger subterranean expansion.
- Soil Care: Avoid digging or compacting delicate desert soil crusts during observation.
Desert Companion Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Image unavailableHost Plant Close Relative
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