Tuber macrosporum vitt. Smooth black truffle

Tuber macrosporum Vittad. [T. cibarium subcinereum alliaceum Bulliard (1791), T. aestivum Vittadini var. tuberculis minutis Fuckel (1864), T. rhenanum Fuckel (1869)], commonly called smooth black truffle. The scientific name refers to the large size of the spores.

Ascomi	Ascomata of irregular, lobed, or even regular shape, with a diameter ranging from 1 to 6 cm (between the size of a walnut and a hen's egg).
Peridium	Reddish-brown peridium covered with flattened warts that give it an almost smooth appearance (resembling a dog's nose).
Gleba	Flesh firm, brown with a purplish tinge. Sterile veins broad, numerous, and pale, turning brown upon exposure to air.
Aschi	Asci subglobose, shortly stalked, containing 1–3 elliptical spores that are irregularly reticulate and alveolate. It emits a pleasant, rather strong, garlicky aroma.
Symbiotic plants	It grows in symbiosis with downy oak, pedunculate oak, sessile oak, Turkey oak, cork oak, hazel, hop-hornbeam, European hornbeam, alder, willow, and linden.
Harvest period	In the Puglia region, the harvesting of this species is permitted from September 1st to December 31st.