TERFEZIACEAE 



161 



Elaphomy cetaceae 



Dodge (1929) states that 2 genera containing about 30 species 

 comprise thiis family. The yellow to brown ascocarps are hypo- 

 geal, resembling truffles, although the asci are scattered or clus- 

 tered in nests rather than in layers, as thev are in truffles. The 

 peridium is thick and verrucose, and at maturity a powdery mass 

 of spores fills the interior. 



Fig. 56. Elaphomyces cervinus. A. Surface view of ascocarp. B. Ascocarp 

 in section. The veins are covered with asci. C. Spherical ascus with thick- 

 walled ascospores. (After Rees and Fisch.) 



Some species of Elaphomyces, notably E. cervinus and E. 

 granulatus, are known to be mycorrhizal and are associated with 

 the roots of pines, oaks, and beeches. The ascocarps of several 

 are parasitized by species of Cordvceps. In fact, species of Ela- 

 phomyces are found only by accident, unless the clavae of the 

 Cordyceps parasitizing them come to the surface of the ground. 



Terfeziaceae 



The Terfeziaceae are subterranean fungi, presumably my- 

 corrhizal and apparently Hmited in range to the Mediterranean 

 region. Their peridium is a thin layer, much narrower than that 

 of the Elaphomycetaceae. The spore mass is not powdery at 

 maturity. According to Lindau, there are eight genera, but 

 many of the species included in them have been found to be 

 truffles and accordingly have been transferred to the Tuberales. 



