Non-Mediterranean Asian Desert Countries

Abstract

This chapter undertakes to sum up information concerning desert truffles in non-Mediterranean Asian countries. Included are Iran, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Arab Peninsula, and China. Desert truffles and semiarid truffles are collected from the wild in appropriate habitats, which are described. In some places mountain ranges have the climate and soil conditions suitable for desert truffles. In others—the right conditions are found in steppes. Different species of desert truffles are described from different areas. These truffles form symbiotic associations with plant species such as grasses (bog sedge), crop species (sorghum and maize), shrubs (Helianthemum spp.), or trees (e.g., pine). Truffling season varies between spring in the Arab Peninsula and autumn in China. In some countries such as Saudi Arabia, desert truffles are considered a delicacy from ancient times till today; in others such as Pakistan and China, they are virtually unknown or not appreciated. Truffle species encountered in the various countries include Terfezia boudieri, T. claveryi, T. aphroditis, T. hanotauxii, T. hafizi, T. leonis (=Terfezia arenaria), T. transcaucasica, T. parvocarpus, Tirmania pinoyi, Mattirolomyces terfezioides, Picoa lefebvrei, and Leucangium carthusianum (=Picoa carthusiana).