Melanogaster tuberiformis
Deutschlands Flora, Abt. III. Die Pilze Deutschlands 3 (11): 1. 1831.
Common Name: none
For description see Zeller & Dodge & Siegel & Schwarz.
Solitary to scattered typically in the layer between humus and soil. Common under hardwoods and conifers during the wet season.
Edible.
The genus Melanogaster is distinguished by its brownish peridium and gelatinous, chambered gleba with whitish veins. Melanogaster species are differentiated primarily on spore morphology. The names placed on California Melanogaster are European and may need revision based on more data/research.
Knudsen, H. & Vesterholt, J. ed. (2012). Funga Nordica: Agaricoid, boletoid, clavarioid, cyphelloid and gastroid genera. Vol. 2. Nordsvamp: Copenhagen, Denmark. 572 p.
Montecchi, A. & Mario, S. (2000). Fungi Ipogei D'Europa. Associazione Micologica Bresadola: Trento, Italy. 714 p.
Siegel, N. & Schwarz, C. (2016). Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast. Ten Speed Press: Berkeley, CA. 601 p.
States, J.S. (1990). Mushrooms and Truffles of the Southwest. University of Arizona: Tucson, AZ. 234 p.
Trappe, J.M., Molina, R., Luoma, D.L., Cázares, E., Pilz, D., Smith, J., Castellano, M.A., Miller, S.L. & Trappe, M.J. (2009). Diversity, Ecology, and Conservation of Truffle Fungi in Forests of the Pacific Northwest. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station: Portland, OR. 194 p. (PDF)
Trappe, M., Evans, F. & Trappe, J.M. (2006). NATS Field Guide to North American Truffles and Truffle-Like Fungi. North American Truffling Society: Corvalis, OR. 80 p.
Zeller, S.M. & Dodge, C.W. (1936). Melanogaster. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 23(636): 655. (PDF)
— spores
