Notes: Collected near Timothy Lake, OR on April 25, 2005. According to Dr. Helen Gilkey, this species is a true truffle, comprised of a hollow sphere usually starting underground, and often becoming erumpent (pushing above ground) where it can be predated on by animals. In addition, the cap will break in age, exposing the hymenium, and releasing spores into the atmosphere. But the spores have insufficient strength to be dispersed very far, so it is likely animals eat the fungus, the spores travel through the animal unharmed, and are later excreted some distance away. Associated with both Douglas fir and Noble fir.