Last week, we were in Morocco presenting data at two academic conferences on underground fungi. The first presented report investigates the climatic impact for the distribution of three key truffle species and the second is a large study (343 data points) on the impact of tree growth and development on truffle production. Both reports are being prepared for publication in international journals and copies will be available on request Having just returned from a academic conference and research trip to Morocco.

Whilst there, we managed to go hunting desert truffles (Terfezia or ‘terfess’) with locals. The unusual hunting method involves striking a stick against the ground and listening for subtle changes in the sound to detect if there is a fruiting body underneath. The size of host plants for the truffles produced is extremely interesting. The collecting does however look like very hard work, quite a contrast to hunting the higher value European species with dogs:

Hunting desert truffles in Morocco