Moroccan desert truffle, commonly known as Terfez, criadilha or criadilla de tierra is an ectomycorrhizal fungus that establishes symbiotic associations (mycorrhiza) with the roots of various plant species, mainly Cistaceae, in arid and semi-arid areas around the Mediterranean basin.
Terfezia arenaria is probably the most widely known and collected desert truffle, being eaten and sold as food in southern Europe, many parts of North Africa and southwestern Asia. Moroccan desert truffle culinary use dates back to 2300 years and its fruitbodies are still nowadays highly prized for their culinary qualities. T. arenaria also possess medicinal properties and its use for treatment of conjunctivitis is known for several thousand years.
The most distinctive characters of Terfezia arenaria fruitbodies are their big size, whitish pink color with black spots and distinct spores, which are ornamented with prominent, truncated warts, looking like a cogwheel.
