Mushroom Glossary: scientific names, toxicity, cultivation, and mycology. Over 200 encyclopedic entries from A to Z. (Under construction...)
In November 2007, the 1.5 kg white truffle was found and sold at auction for a staggering $330,000 (about €228,000 at the time), setting a world record that went viral. The buyer? Macau tycoon Stanley Ho, already known for his eccentric gastronomic passions. That auction, held for the benefit of charities, wasn't just a social event: it marked the exact moment when the white truffle stopped being a mere luxury ingredient and became a true global cultural symbol, on par with diamonds and works of art.
When we talk about the relationship between orchids and fungi, we're not referring to a simple association, but to an absolute dependence. This symbiosis arises because orchid seeds are among the smallest in the plant kingdom: devoid of an endosperm, they contain no nutrient reserves, and to germinate, they must be infected by a mycorrhizal fungus. This symbiosis, called orchid mycorrhiza, is a model of interspecific cooperation. Today, we'd like to introduce you to this extraordinary partnership between the plant and fungal worlds!
