Need help identifying potential truffles. (garden, chocolate, Delaware, Georgia)

[Skyliner]

Hello everyone. Due to my lack of expertise on this topic, I am hoping someone here will be able to help me identify a fungus that I think may be a type of truffle growing under the soil near the exterior of my office in Upstate South Carolina. It may not even be edible. Below are two photos I took as a visual reference. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


For more information about this photo, click here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/24638974@N06/5253714480/ - broken link).


For more information about this photo, click here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/24638974@N06/5253766010/ - broken link).

[Caligula1]

I wouldnt know a truffle from a dirt ball, maybe someone in the garden forum could help out, if nobody here can.

[slackjaw]

Those appear to be specimens of fungi ichanthius, which is actually pretty common in the Carolinas and Georgia with a higher clay content in the soil but unusual to be growing near a building as opposed to symbiotic mycorrhizae with a larger vascular host tree. If memory serves it is a ectomycorrhizas type and is prized for its nutty flavor.

Heh, just kidding I wouldn't know a truffle from a dirt ball either.

[Skyliner]

Thanks to both of you for the replies. These are growing presumably along part of the root system of a fair-sized oak tree, which seems to match the information I have gathered so far through very basic online research. The time of year also seems to be a match. My main desire at this point is to learn whether this particular fungus is edible or poisonous.

[SATX56]

Your last sentence is crucial. Even with an expert in the field on hand to identify it, I'd want them to eat it first! No guinea pig here!

[SXMGirl]

These have always grown in my yard in both Philly and in Delaware. My friend, who teaches horticulture, told me years ago that this type of fungi is not edible.

[jtur88]

Contact the Clemson University Extension Agent in your county. He would know or be able to find out, and it's his job to answer questions like that.
If you're in Greenville County, it would be
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/county/greenville/
For other counties,
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/county/index.html

[rainroosty]

Why not photograph it and then go get yourself a Double Whopper?
Why would you eat it?

[PJSaturn]

Originally Posted by slackjaw

Those appear to be specimens of fungi ichanthius, which is actually pretty common in the Carolinas and Georgia with a higher clay content in the soil but unusual to be growing near a building as opposed to symbiotic mycorrhizae with a larger vascular host tree. If memory serves it is a ectomycorrhizas type and is prized for its nutty flavor.

Heh, just kidding I wouldn't know a truffle from a dirt ball either.

Made me laugh.

[Tigerlily64]

Shucks I read the subject line and thought we were going to have to help you identify chocolate truffles! :-)