Geopora arenicola

Geopora arenicola, commonly known as the hole in the ground truffle,^[1] is a species of fungus belonging to the family Pyronemataceae. It is an uncommon species found in Europe and Uzbekistan.^[2]

Geopora arenicola
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Ascomycota
Class:	Pezizomycetes
Order:	Pezizales
Family:	Pyronemataceae
Genus:	Geopora
Species:	G. arenicola
Binomial name
Geopora arenicola (Lév.) Kers (1974)
Synonyms
List Peziza arenicola Lév. (1848) Peziza bloxamii Cooke (1876) Lachnea arenicola (Lév.) Gillet (1879) Lachnea arenicola (Lév.) W.Phillips (1887) Lachnea arenicola var. bloxamii (Cooke) W.Phillips (1887) Sepultaria arenicola (Lév.) Massee (1895) Lachnea arenosa var. bloxamii (Cooke) Sacc. & Traverso [as 'bloxami'] (1910) Sepultaria arenicola var. bloxamii (Cooke) Ramsb. (1914)

Geopora arenicola Mycological characteristics
	Smooth hymenium
	Hymenium attachment is irregular or not applicable
	Lacks a stipe
	Spore print is white
	Ecology is mycorrhizal
	Edibility is inedible or poisonous

The fungus forms a rounded ascocarp underground on sandy loam soils. This fruit body remains subterranean for most of the year but breaks the surface in the spring to form a cream-coloured cup (apothecium) up to 3 cm (1+1⁄4 in) wide and tall.^[3]

It is likely mycorrhizal, but it is difficult to determine the host species.^[4]

It is too difficult to clean off the sand or dirt to be of culinary interest.^[1]