What is the scientific name of the rare white truffle from Italy?

The scientific name of the rare white truffle from Italy is Tuber magnatum. It is commonly called the Italian white truffle or Alba white truffle, after the Piedmont town famous for its harvests.

Tuber magnatum belongs to the truffle family Tuberaceae and forms underground mycorrhizal partnerships with the roots of trees such as oak, poplar, willow, and hazel. These partnerships help the trees absorb nutrients while the fungus receives sugars from the plant.

The truffle fruits mainly in autumn and is prized for its powerful aroma, pale interior, and delicate white marbling. Individual specimens can reach about 12 centimetres across and weigh up to 500 grams, although most are much smaller. Unlike some cultivated black truffles, the Italian white truffle has historically depended heavily on natural woodland habitats and trained dogs for discovery.

A common mix-up is Tuber melanosporum, the valuable black Périgord truffle. Tuber borchii is another edible white truffle, but it is a different species and generally less prestigious.