Elaphomyces

/ɛləfoʊˈmaɪsiːz/ noun

Definition

A genus of underground truffles found in European forests, sometimes called false truffles or hart's truffles.

Etymology

From Greek elaphē (deer) plus mycēs (fungus), literally 'deer fungus,' named because deer dig up and eat these truffles from forest floors. The connection references the animal's feeding behavior.

Kelly Says

Deer love these truffles so much that foresters used to follow deer to find them—nature's own truffle hunters! Medieval hunters called them 'hart truffles' because harts (male deer) led them to the fungi.

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