commonly known oregon white species edible genus described new science north american species found western coast united_states northern california southern british_columbia west cascade range mycorrhizal fungus grows association douglas fir overlaps distribution closely related different growing seasons typically appears october march grows january june fruit bodies fungus roughly spherical irregular shape resemble small potatoes diameter inside initially white tan color large thick walled strongly spores produced large spherical highly prized taste individuals claimed success christmas tree farms taxonomy phylogeny species officially described named article previously american field guides popular publications years type specimen collected oregon february oregon specific epithet derives oregon latin relating reference western oregon central region abundance fungus commonly known oregon white authority initially intended species variety var molecular analysis revealed genetic differences distinction species level clade genus contains species peculiar wall tips emerging surface maturity description fruit bodies growing ground typically broad specimens recorded smaller specimens spherical nearly random furrows larger specimens irregular shape deeply young fruit bodies white matures develops red reddish brown brown patches age orange brown reddish brown overall develops cracks surface thick surface texture ranges relatively smooth covered tiny hairs dense furrows scattered exposed solid youth fertile tissue whitish narrow white stuffed veins emerge surface maturity fertile tissue light brown brown color spores veins remain white odor flavor flesh mild youth soon strong complex spores ellipsoid somewhat shaped narrowed ends light brownish color size spores varies depending type develop spored measure spored spored spored spored sizes excluding surface ornamentation spore walls thick covered like network typically sides corners form spines tall thick appears spores light microscope objective focused optical cross section spore wall surface scanning electron surface young range shape spherical broadly ellipsoid egg shaped pear shaped base narrowed like stipe measures mature spherical broadly ellipsoid pressure crowded spores hyaline translucent thin walled occasionally stipe maturity cuticle thick plus minus tightly interwoven hyphae broad cells short nearly hyaline walls measure thick interior veins emerge cells form localized tissue rounded cells broad degree surface covered fine hairs variable hairs hyphae thin walled tips diameter smooth surfaces walls resembling string irregularly hyaline bands wide tissue layer immediately abruptly differentiated thick comprises interwoven nearly hyaline thin walled hyphae wide scattered cells wide hyaline thin walled interwoven hyphae broad scattered cells inflated similar species closely resembles grows habitats distinguished structure differences spores size shape grows january june edibility choice edible species odor described complex cheese fungus prized commercial consumers intense grow considered floral flavor profile related european individuals claimed success growing christmas tree farms oregon techniques reportedly involve ground young douglas fir trees comprising ground mixed water animals fed concrete evidence methods establish new patches improve productivity existing patches ecology habitat distribution like species mycorrhizal fungus grows west southern region washington south southwestern oregon elevations near sea level pure stands forests years old mixed species species commercially harvested pacific northwest 1980s found christmas tree plantations young years held eugene yearly coincide late january features activities cultivation hunting fruit bodies produced september middle march fungus important component diet northern flying comprises majority diet certain times year
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