Thaxterogaster pavelekii is found on the Oregon coast associated with Sitka spruce.
It is an intermediate form between truffles (gills enclosed, no stalk) and mushrooms
(gills exposed, prominent stalk). The white wedge of tissue visible on the cut section
on the left is the vestigial remnant of a stalk. T. pavelekii always grows underground,
rarely breaking the surface of the soil. It is named after NATS founding member and
past president, the late Henry Pavelek, Sr.