Boletes of Eastern North America

80 · Boletes of Eastern North America Boletellus pseudochrysenteroides A. H. Sm. & Thiers Common name(s): none. Overview: The term pseudochrysenteroides means “resembling Boletellus chrysenteroides” (p. 78). The key identification features include the dark rosered to red-brown cap when young, blue-staining pores, and large spores with sublongitudinal ridges. NH4OH stains the cap yellowish. Cap: 5–10 cm wide, broadly convex, expanding to plane or nearly so, margin with a narrow band of sterile tissue when young, even at maturity; surface dry, velvety, dark rose red to red brown at first, typically developing olivaceous to ochraceous-brown tones as it ages, soon becoming cracked and showing pale-yellow to pinkish flesh in the spaces, not staining blue when bruised; flesh pale yellow, instantly staining pink under the cuticle and pale blue above the tubes when exposed; odor not distinctive; taste acidic or not distinctive. Pores and tubes: pale yellow at first, becoming olive brown at maturity, staining blue and then slowly brown when bruised, strongly depressed at the stalk in age; tubes 8–15 mm deep, staining blue when bruised. Stalk: nearly equal or slightly enlarged downward, solid; surface scurfy, dull yellow brown or colored like the cap, sometimes with a yellow apex; covered on the upper half or more by reddish to brownish punctae; not staining when bruised; base sometimes coated with yellowish mycelium; flesh pale yellow to ochraceous, quickly staining blue when exposed. Boletellus pseudochrysenteroides

Boletinellus · 81 Habitat and season: solitary or scattered under broadleaf trees, especially beech or oak, sometimes on decaying logs or stumps; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: Reported from Michigan and North Carolina, distribution limits yet to be established; rare. Spore print: dark olive brown to dark olive fuscous. Microscopic features: spores 11–18 × 5–8 µm, subellipsoidal to fusoid, smooth, thick-walled, ornamented with nine to twelve sublongitudinal ridges, with an apical break in the outer wall in the form of a slit, brown to ochraceous. Edibility: unknown and too rare to gather for food. Lookalikes: Boletellus chrysenteroides (p. 78) has a dark-brown cap that is velvety when young and becomes bay brown to chestnut brown and often cracked in age. It has whitish to pale-yellow flesh that lacks reddish tints showing in the fissures, and it grows on decaying logs and stumps, at the base of standing trunks, or sometimes on the ground in broadleaf or mixed oak and pine woods, especially with oak. Xerocomellus intermedius (p. 419) has weakly striate spores that measure 9–12 × 4–5 µm. Genus Boletinellus Murrill The genus Boletinellus was erected in 1909 to accommodate some species formerly classified in several genera, including Daedalea, Boletus, and Suillus. Boletinellus is a small genus of medium-size boletes found in Asia and eastern North America. They have a dry to slightly viscid, typically smooth, and soft cap; yellow flesh that sometimes stains blue or greenish blue; radially arranged and elongated pores; and an eccentric to lateral stalk. The spore-print color is olive brown. Boletinellus merulioides

82 · Boletes of Eastern North America Boletinellus merulioides (Schwein.) Murrill = Gyrodon merulioides (Schwein.) Singer Common name(s): Ash Tree Bolete Overview: The term merulioides means “resembling Merulius,” referring to a genus of resupinate crust fungi with a wrinkled and ridged fertile surface. This unique and fascinating bolete is easily recognized by the dark reddish-brown cap, eccentric stalk, yellow radiating pores, and association with ash trees. Although the Ash Tree Bolete occurs with ash trees, it is not mycorrhizal with them. The Ash Tree Bolete has struck up a relationship with a parasitic aphid that is sheltered in sclerotia produced by the bolete. The sclerotia surround and protect the aphid, which provides honeydew nutrients to the bolete. For additional information on this relationship, see Brundrett and Kendrick 1987. Cap: 4–12.5 cm wide, often kidney-shaped in outline, convex with an incurved margin at first, becoming depressed in the center to nearly funnel-shaped in age; surface slightly velvety at first, smooth, slightly viscid and shiny when moist, yellow brown to olive brown or reddish brown; flesh thick in the center, thin at the margin, yellow, unchanging or sometimes staining bluish when exposed, reddish brown around larval tunnels; odor musty or unpleasant or not distinctive; taste variously described as pungent, resembling raw potatoes, or not distinctive. Pores and tubes: decurrent, not easily separated from the cap flesh, with elongated and radially arranged pores and gill-like ridges and crosswalls, yellow to dull golden yellow or olive, usually slowly bruising greenish blue; tubes 3–6 mm deep. Stalk: short, solid, eccentric to nearly lateral or central, often curved and pinched at the base; surface dry, concolorous with the pores on the upper portion, brownish to blackish at the base, sometimes mottled with reddish brown, staining reddish brown when bruised; flesh concolorous with and staining like the cap flesh, usually reddish brown near the base. Habitat and season: solitary or more often in groups on the ground or infrequently on wood, near or under ash trees; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: eastern Canada south to Florida, west to Alabama and Wisconsin; fairly common. Spore print: olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 7–11 × 6–7.5 µm, broadly ellipsoidal to nearly globose, smooth, pale yellow in water mounts, ochraceous in KOH. Edibility: edible but usually rated as mediocre. Lookalikes: Boletinellus proximus (Singer) Murrill (not illustrated), known only from Florida, has a dark-brown to purplish-brown cap that fades to brown or cinnamon buff in age; pale-brown flesh that does not stain when exposed; decurrent, yellow to yellow-brown or olive-brown, angular to

Boletus · 83 irregular, often elongated and radially arranged pores; and an eccentric to central stalk that is yellow or concolorous with the cap. Its spores measure 7–10 × 5–7 µm, and it grows on the ground or on decaying wood in swampy woods. Genus Bolet us L. The genus Boletus was erected in 1753 to accommodate species formerly classified in several genera, including Agaricus, Suillus, and Polyporus. The name Boletus means “fleshy-pored fungus.” It is the largest genus of boletes, with more than one hundred species known from North America. Recent molecular research involving DNA analysis has resulted in the placement of several species formally classified as Boletus into other preexisting genera or into newly erected genera. It can be expected that this process will continue into the foreseeable future. Members of the genus Boletus are small to large terrestrial or sometimes lignicolous boletes with dry or viscid caps and typically solid stalks. Their flesh is white or yellow and stains blue or brown in some species when cut. Pores may be white, yellow, orange, red, brown, or grayish and may stain blue, brown, blackish, or some other color when bruised. Their stalks can be smooth and reticulate or have raised, intersecting, longitudinal ribs that mimic reticulation. Boletus abruptibulbus (A)

84 · Boletes of Eastern North America Boletus abruptibulbus Roody, Both & B. Ortiz Common name(s): Abruptly Bulbous Sand Bolete Overview: The term abruptibulbus means “having an abruptly bulbous base,” a reference to this unusual bolete’s stalk base. The strongly bulbous to abruptly bulbous base, the prominent pseudorhiza, the fairly large spores, and growth in coastal woodlands are the diagnostic features that set this species apart from other boletes. The cap surface and bulbous base of dried material immediately stain dark red and then slowly fade with NH4OH. Cap: 3–8 cm wide, convex, becoming broadly convex, with a narrow sterile margin; surface dry to subviscid when wet, shiny, glabrous, occasionally appressed-fibrillose, often developing tiny cracks in age, reddish brown or dark brown, becoming cinnamon brown; flesh white to very pale yellow, unchanging when exposed; odor pleasant; taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: narrowly depressed at the stalk, with short decurrent teeth, angular to nearly gill-like pores near the stalk, pale yellow at first, becoming pale golden yellow and then yellowish olive to greenish olive in age; tubes 3–8 mm deep. Stalk: nearly equal on the upper portion, strongly bulbous to abruptly bulbous on the lower portion, solid, with a prominent pseudorhiza covered in sand; surface dry, pallid or yellowish at the apex, gradually darker and becoming concolorous with the cap toward the base, with white basal mycelium; flesh yellow, unchanging when cut. Habitat and season: solitary or in scattered groups in sandy soil in coastal oak and pine woods; winter and spring. Distribution and frequency: at present known only from the Gulf Coast of the Florida Panhandle and southeastern Georgia; occasional. Boletus abruptibulbus (B)

Boletus · 85 Spore print: olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 13.5–19.8(22.5) × 5–7.2 µm, smooth fusoid, grayish yellow in KOH, dextrinoid in Melzer’s. Edibility: edible but usually permeated with sand when collected. Lookalikes: Aureoboletus auriporus (p. 60) has similar colors and is shiny and viscid. Its pores are brilliant yellow; it has smaller spores; and it lacks a strongly developed pseudorhiza. Boletus albisulphureus (A) Boletus albisulphureus (B)

86 · Boletes of Eastern North America Boletus albisulphureus (Murrill) Murrill = Gyroporus albisulphureus Murrill Common name(s): Chalk-white Bolete Overview: The term albisulphureus means “white and yellow,” referring to this handsome bolete’s overall colors. The key identification features include the white cap; white, unchanging flesh; yellow pores; and a white, reticulated stalk. Cap: 4–12 cm wide, obtuse to convex, becoming broadly convex at maturity, margin even; surface dry, glabrous, sometimes finely cracked in age, milk white to grayish white, sometimes with yellowish or brownish tinges, especially near the margin; flesh white, unchanging when exposed; odor somewhat pungent and medicinal or not distinctive; taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: white to buff at first, becoming yellow at maturity and then dingy olive yellow in age, not staining blue when bruised, attached to subdecurrent; tubes 5–15 mm deep. Stalk: nearly equal or enlarged downward, sometimes abruptly narrowed at the base, solid; surface dry, milk white to whitish, yellowish at the apex, with white to yellowish reticulation on the upper portion; flesh concolorous with the cap flesh, typically with yellow tints at the base. Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, or in groups in sandy soil under oaks; summer, fall, and early winter in the southern part of its range. Distribution and frequency: Maine south to Florida, west to Texas; infrequent. Spore print: olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 11–15 × 3.5–4.5 µm, subfusiform, smooth, hyaline to pale yellowish, some dextrinoid in Melzer’s. Edibility: edible. Lookalikes: This species is often confused with Xanthoconium stramineum (p. 413), which is similar but has brighter-yellow pores and lacks reticulation on its stalk. Tylopilus rhoadsiae (p. 391) has a white cap and stalk that often have pinkish or pinkish-tan tinges, prominent white to brown reticulation, white pores that becomes dull pinkish at maturity, and bitter-tasting flesh.

Boletus · 87 Boletus alutaceus Morgan = Xerocomus alutaceus (Morgan) E. A. Dick & Snell Common name(s): none. Overview: The term alutaceus means “leather-colored.” The key identification features include the brown to tan cap; whitish flesh that does not stain when exposed; yellow, nonstaining pores; and brownish stalk. Cap: 4–6 cm wide, pulvinate, becoming broadly convex to nearly plane; surface dry, unpolished, yellowish brown at first, becoming pale tan with a pinkish tint; flesh whitish, sometimes with a pinkish tint, not staining when exposed; odor and taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: pale yellow to pale greenish yellow, not staining when bruised, depressed at the stalk; tubes 5–15 mm deep. Stalk: slightly enlarged downward or nearly equal, solid; surface glabrous, with or without longitudinal striations, sometimes weakly reticulate at the very apex, concolorous with the cap or paler, basal mycelium white; flesh white to pale tan, often with pinkish tints. Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, or in groups under oak and beech; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: New England south to West Virginia and Kentucky, west to Ohio and Wisconsin; rare. Spore print: olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 9–12 × 4–5 µm, ellipsoid to subfusiform, smooth, very pale yellow to nearly hyaline. Boletus alutaceus

88 · Boletes of Eastern North America Edibility: reported to be edible but too rare to collect for the table. Lookalikes: This small and seldom-encountered bolete might be confused with the similar bolete Aureoboletus roxanae (p. 67), which has a yellow-brown to reddish-brown cap that becomes dull orange to dark orange yellow with age and pores that are whitish at first but then become pale yellow and finally pale golden yellow. The stalk of Aureoboletus roxanae is yellowish brown to reddish brown, often with a dull-orange zone at the apex, and is longitudinally striate, at least on the upper portion. Boletus atkinsonii (A) Boletus atkinsonii (B)

Boletus · 89 Boletus atkinsonii Peck Common name(s): none. Overview: This bolete was named in honor of American mycologist George F. Atkinson (1854–1918). The roughened cap surface with tufts of hyphae is a noteworthy feature. NH4OH stains the cap purplish. Cap: 4–20 cm wide, convex, becoming broadly convex to nearly plane in age, margin even; surface dry, roughened with tufts of hyphae that are best observed with a hand lens, minutely cracked at maturity, grayish brown or yellowish brown; flesh white, unchanging when exposed; odor and taste somewhat nutty sweet or not distinctive. Pores and tubes: white at first, soon yellow to pale ochraceous, sometimes depressed at the stalk at maturity; tubes 6–12 mm deep. Stalk: slightly enlarged downward or nearly equal, solid; surface dry, dingy white, with fine brownish reticulation; flesh concolorous with the cap flesh. Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, or in groups in mixed broadleaf woods, usually with beech or oak; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: eastern Canada south to North Carolina, western distribution limits yet to be determined; occasional. Spore print: ochraceous brown. Microscopic features: spores 10–13 × 4–5 µm, ellipsoid to subfusiform, smooth, pale yellow; hyphae of the cap cuticle roughened and in fascicles. Edibility: edible. Lookalikes: Boletus nobilis (p. 121) has a paler, more ochraceous cap that is felt-like to nearly smooth, lacks tufts of hyphae, and has larger spores that measure 12.5–15 × 5–6 µm. Boletus variipes (p. 167) has variable cap colors ranging from creamy tan to dark brown, coarser and more prominent reticulation, and larger spores that measure 12–18 × 4–6 µm.

90 · Boletes of Eastern North America Boletus aurantiosplendens Baroni Common name(s): Showy Orange Bolete Overview: The term aurantiosplendens means “showy orange.” This bolete’s key identification features include the orange to brownish-yellow cap, pale-yellow flesh, and obscurely to distinctly reticulate, yellow to orange stalk. Cap: 3–11 cm wide, convex, becoming broadly convex to nearly plane in age, margin inrolled at first, becoming decurved, even; surface dry, somewhat velvety, color variable, orange to brownish orange or brownish yellow, sometimes duller yellowish brown or pale brown to rusty brown with a brighter yellowish-orange margin; flesh pale yellow to yellow, slowly darkening when exposed; odor pungent when fresh; taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: yellow, becoming dull brownish yellow in age, unchanging or staining brownish orange when bruised, sometimes depressed at the stalk at maturity; tubes 5–10 mm deep. Stalk: nearly equal or enlarged downward, solid; surface dry, glabrous, obscurely to distinctly reticulate, yellow to apricot or orange, with tawny to reddish-brown streaks over the midportion, with yellow basal mycelium; flesh concolorous with the cap flesh. Boletus aurantiosplendens

Boletus · 91 Habitat and season: scattered or in groups in mixed broadleaf and pine woods; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: Mississippi and North Carolina, distribution limits yet to be established; uncommon. Spore print: olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 9.5–12 × 4–5.5 µm, subfusiform, smooth, pale olivaceous yellow. Edibility: unknown. Lookalikes: This beautiful bolete is sometimes confused with Pulveroboletus auriflammeus (p. 291), which has a brilliant yellow-orange powdery cap, a stalk that stains fingers after being held, and yellow-orange pores that become olive yellow to greenish yellow and sometimes develop bright-crimson to crimson-orange tints in age. Boletus melleoluteus (Snell, E. A. Dick & Hesler) T. J. Baroni & Halling (not illustrated), known only from Tennessee and North Carolina south to Georgia, has a bright-yellow cap that becomes dull yellow ochraceous in age, a pale-yellow stalk that lacks reticulation, and pale-yellow flesh that blues slightly when exposed. Also compare with Boletus aureissimus var. aureissimus (p. 92), which has a bright-yellow to honey-yellow or yellow-ocher cap, a yellow to brightyellow stalk with or without delicate reticulation on the upper portion, and mild-tasting flesh. Boletus aureissimus var. aureissimus

92 · Boletes of Eastern North America Boletus aureissimus var. aureissimus (Murrill) Murrill = Boletus auripes var. aureissimus (Murrill) Singer = Ceriomyces aureissimus Murrill Common name(s): none Overview: The term aureissimus means “golden yellow.” This bolete’s key identification features include the yellow cap, yellow and unchanging flesh, yellow pores, and yellow stalk that typically has delicate yellow reticulation on the upper portion. Cap: 4–14 cm wide, obtuse to convex, becoming broadly convex to nearly plane in age, margin even; surface dry, glabrous, honey yellow to bright yellow or yellow ocher, often duller in age; flesh yellow, not staining blue when exposed; odor and taste not distinctive. Ceriomyces aureissimus var. castaneus

Boletus · 93 Pores and tubes: pale yellow to yellow, becoming olive yellow at maturity, not staining blue when bruised, often depressed at the stalk in age; tubes 1–2.5 cm deep. Stalk: typically bulbous to clavate when young, becoming nearly equal at maturity, solid; surface dry, yellow to bright yellow, with delicate yellow reticulation on the upper portion or sometimes lacking reticulation; flesh yellow, unchanging when exposed. Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, or in groups under oaks; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: Piedmont region of North Carolina south to Florida, west to Texas; occasional. Spore print: yellow brown to olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 10–14 × 3–5 µm, ellipsoid-cylindric to subfusoid, smooth, yellowish. Edibility: edible. Lookalikes: Ceriomyces aureissimus var. castaneus Murrill (see photo, p. 92) is a nearly identical beautiful bolete with a velvety, purplish-brown cap surface. Boletus auripes (p. 94) has a yellow-brown to chestnut-brown or grayish-brown cap and a golden-yellow stalk with yellow reticulation. Retiboletus ornatipes (p. 300) has a darker-yellow or gray cap, coarser and more prominent reticulation, and bitter-tasting flesh. Boletus aurantiosplendens (p. 90) has a darker-orange to brownish-orange or brownish-yellow cap, a yellow to apricot or orange stalk with tawny to reddish-brown streaks over the midportion and obscure to distinct reticulation, and yellow flesh that darkens or becomes bright orange when exposed. Boletus auripes (A)

94 · Boletes of Eastern North America Boletus auripes Peck Common name(s): none. Overview: The term auripes means “golden-yellow foot.” The rich brown and yellow colors of this handsome bolete and the lack of blue staining anywhere when bruised are its distinctive features. Cap: 4–13 cm wide, obtuse to convex, becoming broadly convex to nearly plane, with a narrow sterile margin; surface dry, finely velvety to nearly glabrous, yellowish brown to chestnut brown or grayish brown, becoming paler in age; flesh bright yellow, color intensifying when rubbed, not staining blue when exposed; odor and taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: pale yellow to yellow, becoming olive yellow at maturity, unchanging or staining yellow orange when bruised, often depressed at the stalk in age; tubes 1–2.5 cm deep. Stalk: often bulbous to clavate when young, clavate to nearly equal with age, solid; surface dry, golden yellow with yellow reticulation, at least on the upper portion; flesh concolorous with the cap flesh. Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, or in groups under broadleaf trees, especially oak and beech, or sometimes in grassy places where oak is present; late spring, summer, and fall. Boletus auripes (B)

Boletus · 95 Distribution and frequency: eastern Canada south to Florida, west at least to New York and North Carolina, western distribution limits yet to be established; fairly common. Spore print: yellow brown to olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 10–14 × 3–5 µm, ellipsoid-cylindric to subfusoid, smooth, yellowish. Edibility: edible. Young, firm specimens are excellent. Lookalikes: Boletus aureissimus var. aureissimus (p. 92) is very similar. It has a honey-yellow to bright-yellow or yellow-ocher cap and more delicate reticulation on its stalk. Ceriomyces aureissimus var. castaneus Murrill (see photo, p. 92) has a velvety purplish-brown cap. Boletus billieae Both, Bessette & W. J. Neill Common name(s): Billie’s Bolete Overview: This rare and beautiful bolete is currently unknown beyond Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It is named in honor of Billie Both (1935–2007), wife of the eminent American boletologist Ernst E. Both (1930–2012), who first discovered it. The dark chocolate-brown to very dark purplish-brown cap and red stalk with yellow reticulation are its distinctive features. The cap surface stains dark amber and then red brown with KOH, amber with NH4OH, and bluish to grayish green with FeSO4. Boletus billieae

96 · Boletes of Eastern North America Cap: up to 16 cm wide, broadly convex, margin wavy, strongly incurved, even; surface dry, covered with tiny matted fibers, opaque to subshiny, dark chocolate brown to dark purplish brown, staining dingy reddish when bruised; flesh pale yellow, slowly staining blue when exposed; odor not distinctive when fresh, described as reminiscent of chocolate-chip cookies when dried; taste sweetish or not distinctive. Pores and tubes: golden yellow at first, becoming greenish yellow and finally olivaceous in age, quickly staining blue when bruised; tubes 8–10 mm deep. Stalk: enlarged downward with a pinched base, solid; surface dry, blood red on the upper portion with a hint of purplish red, pinkish red on the lower portion, very dark red at the base, covered with a yellow reticulum extending from the apex to the base, with a white basal mycelium; flesh concolorous with and staining like the cap flesh. Habitat and season: solitary, in sandy soil under bear oak and pitch pine; summer, seasonal range yet to be determined. Distribution and frequency: known only from Cape Cod, Massachusetts; rare. Spore print: olivaceous brown. Microscopic features: spores 12–16 × 4–6 µm, subfusoid to ellipsoid, smooth, hyaline. Edibility: unknown. Lookalikes: none. Boletus carminiporus

Boletus · 97 Boletus carminiporus Bessette, Both & Dunaway Common name(s): none. Overview: The red cap, red stalk, red pores, and white to yellow flesh that does not stain blue are the key features for identifying this bolete. The term carminiporus means “carmine-red pores.” Cap: 3–14 cm wide, convex, becoming broadly convex to nearly plane in age, margin incurved to inrolled at first, becoming decurved at maturity, with a narrow band of sterile tissue; surface dry to slightly viscid, glabrous or nearly so, dull red at first, becoming pinkish red to orange red and fading to reddish orange to dull golden orange in age; flesh whitish to pale yellow, becoming darker yellow when exposed or in age, not staining blue at all; odor and taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: yellow when very young, soon becoming dark red to brownish red, fading to dull red or orange red in age, staining bluish green and then dull olive when bruised, depressed at the stalk at maturity; tubes 3–12 mm deep, yellow, staining bluish green when cut. Stalk: enlarged downward to a pinched base, rarely tapered downward or nearly equal, solid; surface dry, distinctly reticulate overall or at least on the upper portion, rose pink at first, soon becoming dark red at the apex and paler red below, staining brownish red or slowly olive green to olive yellow when handled or bruised; flesh pale yellow to yellow, darker than the cap flesh, unchanging when exposed, becoming dull red around larval tunnels. Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, or in groups in mixed broadleaf forests, especially with beech, hickory, and oak, or in mixed woods with oak and pine; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: southeastern United States from North Carolina south to Florida, west to Arkansas and Louisiana, northern distribution limits yet to be established; occasional to fairly common. Spore print: olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 8–11 × 3–4 µm, subfusoid, smooth, ochraceous. Edibility: unknown. Lookalikes: Boletus flammans (p. 107) has yellowish flesh that quickly stains blue when exposed, and it grows under conifers, especially spruce, hemlock, and pine. It also has larger spores, measuring 10–16 × 4–5 µm. Suillellus subluridus (p. 314) is also very similar but lacks reticulation on the stalk. Lanmaoa borealis (p. 229), known from New England west to Michigan, has an evenly brick-red to dark rusty-rose cap. Its stalk is concolorous with the cap and lacks reticulation or is reticulate only at the very apex. The cap flesh is yellow to pale yellow. The stalk flesh is lemon yellow and slowly stains blue at the apex when exposed. Its pores are dull orange to orange red and stain blue when bruised. Its spores measure 11–15 × 4–5 µm.

98 · Boletes of Eastern North America Boletus chippewaensis A. H. Sm. & Thiers Common name(s): none. Overview: The term chippewaensis is a reference to Chippewa County, Michigan, where this bolete was first collected. Although it has a few distinctive features, including a pale lemon-yellow cap splashed with brick red to rusty red, pores that stain pinkish cinnamon, and wide spores, it is clearly a member of the Boletus edulis group and has been identified and illustrated in field guides as Boletus edulis (p. 101). We have decided to treat Boletus chippewaensis as a distinct species, realizing, however, that in the future molecular analysis may very well indicate that it should be placed in synonymy with Boletus edulis. Cap: 6–15 cm wide, convex to broadly convex, becoming nearly plane in age, margin even; surface dry, smooth, pale lemon yellow splashed irregularly with brick red to bright rusty red, finally brick red overall; flesh white, not staining blue when exposed; odor and taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: white when very young, soon turning creamy lemon yellow, finally olive brown in age; staining pinkish cinnamon or sometimes grayish olive when bruised; tubes 1–2 cm deep. Stalk: nearly equal or enlarged downward, sometimes bulbous, often with a pinched base, solid; surface dry, pinkish tan to cinnamon brown on the upper portion or nearly overall, whitish at the base, with a white reticulum on the upper one-third or more; flesh concolorous with the cap flesh. Boletus chippewaensis

Boletus · 99 Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, or in groups under conifers, especially eastern white pine, or in mixed broadleaf and conifer woods; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: New England and New York, west to Michigan, distribution limits yet to be established; uncommon to rare. Spore print: yellow brown. Microscopic features: spores 11–16 × 5–7 µm, ellipsoidal to fusiform, smooth, pale brown. Edibility: edible and choice. Lookalikes: Boletus edulis (p. 101), Boletus huronensis (p. 110), and Boletus subcaerulescens (p. 157) have brown caps that lack the pale lemon-yellow coloration in all stages of development. Boletus durhamensis B. Ortiz, Bessette & McConnell Common name(s): none. Overview: The term durhamensis is a reference to Durham, North Carolina, where this bolete was first collected by American mycologist Owen McConnell. The cap surface stains red orange with KOH and slightly dull vinaceous with NH4OH and is negative with FeSO4. Cap: 2–12(17) cm wide, rounded at first, becoming convex to broadly convex, margin with a narrow overlapping band of sterile tissue, incurved when young; surface dry, felt-like to somewhat velvety, medium brown to rusty brown, becoming paler brown to yellowish brown with age, typically Boletus durhamensis

100 · Boletes of Eastern North America yellowish along the margin; flesh white, slightly tinged with yellowish tan, unchanging when exposed; odor and taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: uniformly dark cinnamon brown, unchanging or slightly darker when bruised, attached to narrowly depressed near the stalk; tubes 2–6(11) mm deep, straw-colored, not staining when bruised. Stalk: nearly equal or slightly enlarged downward, solid; surface dry, smooth, yellow with cinnamon-brown pruinosity that is sparse on young specimens and heavier on mature ones, typically with fine cinnamon-brown reticulation on the upper portion or at least near the apex, with white basal mycelium; flesh concolorous with the cap flesh. Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, or in groups in broadleaf woods or in sparse grassy areas near willow oak and white oak, sometimes with red maple, sweetgum, and dogwood also present; summer and early fall. Distribution and frequency: reported only from the eastern Piedmont of North Carolina, distribution limits yet to be established; occasional. Spore print: olivaceous gray brown. Microscopic features: spores 7–12 × 3.7–5 µm, ellipsoid, smooth, hyaline; pleurocystidia and cheilocystidia present. Edibility: unknown. Lookalikes: Boletus vermiculosoides (p. 169) and Boletus vermiculosus Peck (see photo, p. 169) are similar, but both bruise dark blue on the pores, and their cut flesh instantly stains blue. Tylopilus tabacinus (p. 398) has a pinkish-brown to reddish-brown spore print, more pronounced reticulation, and typically bitter-tasting flesh, and it lacks cheilocystidia. Boletus edulis (A)

Boletus · 101 Boletus edulis Bull. Common name(s): Cep, King Bolete, Porcini, and Steinpilz Overview: The term edulis means “edible,” which is an understatement when referring to this truly delicious bolete. In fact, the Cep is arguably the most popular and coveted of all edible wild mushrooms wherever it exists in the world. Several different color forms and varieties occur in eastern North America. The key identification features for members of this group include white pores that become yellow at maturity, white reticulation on the stalk, mild-tasting flesh, and association with conifers. Cap: 4–20 cm wide, convex, becoming broadly convex to nearly plane in age, margin even; surface dry or tacky, smooth or somewhat uneven and slightly pitted, brown to cinnamon brown or rusty red to tan; flesh white, not staining blue when exposed; odor and taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: white when young, becoming yellow to olive yellow and then brownish yellow to brown in age, typically unchanging when bruised, but occasionally bruising dull orange cinnamon to pale yellowish brown; tubes 1–3 cm deep. Stalk: enlarged downward and sometimes bulbous, thick, firm and solid; surface dry, white to pale brown, with a fine white reticulum overall or at least on the upper one-third; flesh white, unchanging when exposed. Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, or in groups under conifers, especially Norway spruce and pine; late spring through summer and fall. Boletus edulis (B)

102 · Boletes of Eastern North America Distribution and frequency: eastern Canada south to Georgia, west to Minnesota and Arkansas; occasional to locally quite common. Spore print: olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 13–19 × 4–6.5 µm, ellipsoidal, smooth, pale yellowish brown. Edibility: edible and choice. Dried Ceps, better known as King Boletes, have a rich, concentrated flavor and are frequently available in supermarkets. Lookalikes: Boletus chippewaensis (p. 98) is nearly identical but has a pale lemon-yellow cap splashed irregularly with brick red to bright rusty red. Boletus subcaerulescens (p. 157) has more vinaceous tones on the cap and stalk, flesh that often has an odor of lemon, and pores that bruise blue gray. Boletus pseudopinophilus (p. 137) has a conspicuous brownish reticulum that darkens when handled. Boletus huronensis (p. 110) is a similar but dangerously poisonous species that can cause severe digestive distress and may have been responsible for at least one fatality. It has pale-yellow flesh that typically stains blue when exposed, sometimes slowly or occasionally not at all. Its yellow to brownish pores slowly stain greenish blue, and it lacks reticulation on the stalk or is reticulate only at the very apex. Boletus huronensis is associated with hemlock. Tylopilus felleus (p. 375) is sometimes mistaken for Boletus edulis but differs in having very bitter-tasting flesh, brown reticulation on the stalk, and a pinkish-brown spore print. Boletus fairchildianus (A)

Boletus fairchildianus (B) Boletus fairchildianus (C)

104 · Boletes of Eastern North America Boletus fairchildianus (Singer) Singer = Boletus rubricitrinus var. fairchildianus Singer Common name(s): none. Overview: The term fairchildianus is a reference to the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden in Miami, Florida, where it was originally collected in 1942. The key identification features include the variable red cap that often bruises blue, yellow flesh that stains blue, red to orange-red pore surface, red or yellow stalk, and southern distribution. Cap: 3–14 cm wide, pulvinate to convex, becoming broadly convex to nearly plane or slightly depressed in age, margin incurved at first, with a narrow band of sterile tissue; surface dry, glabrous to somewhat velvety, color variable, dull rose red to dull brick red, brownish orange to cinnabar red, or vinaceous red, fading to tawny olive or reddish brown to dull brown with age, sometimes with yellow tints, often staining blue when bruised; flesh yellow, strongly staining blue when exposed; odor and taste not distinctive. Pore and tubes: at first red to dull red or orange red on a yellow ground color, often duller in age, bruising blue; tubes 8–20 mm deep. Stalk: tapered in either direction or nearly equal, with a ventricose base, solid; surface dry, yellow with red tints and streaks or dots especially near the base, sometimes with red over much of its length, usually weakly reticulate at the extreme apex, often longitudinally striate; flesh concolorous with and staining like the cap flesh. Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, or in groups with oak or in oak and pine woods; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: Florida west to Texas, northern limits yet to be established. Spore print: olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 13–19 × 5–8 µm, fusoid to subfusoid-ellipsoid, smooth, yellowish. Edibility: unknown. Lookalikes: Boletus rubricitrinus (p. 145) has yellow to dull-yellow or olive-yellow pores and less red on the stalk.

Boletus · 105 Boletus ferrugineus Schaeff. = Boletus citrinovirens Watling = Boletus spadiceus Krombh. = Boletus spadiceus var. furcatus T. J. Baroni, Largent & Thiers = Boletus spadiceus var. gracilis A. H. Sm. & Thiers = Boletus spadiceus var. rufobrunneus Thiers = Xerocomus ferrugineus (Schaeff.) Alessio = Xerocomus spadiceus (Fr.) Quél. Common name(s): Rusty Iron Bolete Overview: The term ferrugineus means “rusty iron,” a reference to the color of this bolete’s cap. The cap surface displays a green flash and then stains reddish brown with NH4OH. The flesh stains olive green with FeSO4. Cap: 5–11 cm wide, convex, becoming broadly convex or sometimes nearly plane in age, margin sometimes with a narrow band of sterile tissue or even; surface dry, somewhat velvety, occasionally cracked in age, dark olive to olive yellow with reddish tints, yellow brown, or reddish brown; flesh yellow with a reddish line beneath the cuticle, pinkish around larval tunnels, unchanging or staining slightly blue when exposed; odor mild to slightly pungent; taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: yellow to olive yellow, usually but not always staining blue or blue green when bruised; tubes 8–10 mm deep. Boletus ferrugineus

106 · Boletes of Eastern North America Stalk: nearly equal or narrowed downward, typically with a pinched base, solid; surface dry, typically with raised longitudinal lines that may form a net-like pattern that mimics reticulation at the apex or nearly overall, pale yellow or whitish, often streaked with brown, whitish near the base, with a whitish to yellowish basal mycelium; flesh concolorous with and staining like the cap flesh. Habitat and season: scattered or in small groups in mixed woods and along road banks and trails, usually under conifers; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: eastern Canada south to North Carolina, west to Minnesota; fairly common. Spore print: olive to pale olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 10–14 × 4.5–5 µm, oblong to ventricose, smooth, pale brown. Edibility: edible. Lookalikes: Boletus subtomentosus var. subtomentosus (p. 165) is very similar, but its pores less readily stain blue when bruised, and its cap surface instantly stains reddish brown with NH4OH. Xerocomellus chrysenteron (p. 416) has a dark-olive to olive-brown or grayish-brown cap. It often has a reddish margin and is conspicuously cracked, with reddish color visible in the cracks. Boletus flammans

Boletus · 107 Boletus flammans E. A. Dick & Snell = Boletus rubroflammeus A. H. Sm. & Thiers Common name(s): none. Overview: The term flammans means “flaming or fiery,” a reference to this bolete’s overall red colors. The key identification features include the red cap that stains blue, yellow flesh that quickly stains blue when exposed, bright-red to orange-red pores that bruise blue, and a red, reticulated stalk that bruises blue. Cap: 4–12 cm wide, convex, becoming broadly convex to nearly plane in age, margin even or nearly so; surface dry to slightly viscid when moist, somewhat velvety to glabrous, dark red to brick red, rosy red, or brownish red, sometimes with tan areas near the margin in age, staining blue when bruised; flesh yellowish, quickly staining blue when exposed; odor and taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: bright red to orange red, depressed at the stalk at maturity, staining blue when bruised; tubes 8–20 mm deep. Stalk: nearly equal or slightly enlarged downward, solid; surface dry, concolorous with the cap, sometimes yellow near the base, finely reticulate on the upper half or at least near the apex, staining blue when handled or bruised; flesh concolorous with and staining like the cap flesh. Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, or in groups under conifers, especially spruce, hemlock, and pine, or sometimes under broadleaf trees, especially beech; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: eastern Canada south to Florida, west to Texas; occasional. Spore print: olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 10–16 × 4–5 µm, cylindric to ellipsoid, smooth, yellowish. Edibility: unknown. Lookalikes: Rubroboletus rhodosanguineus (p. 304) has a similarly colored cap that first stains dark red to purplish then gray when bruised. It has flesh with an odor of overripe fruit and a sweet taste as well as a more prominently reticulate stalk, and it grows with red oak. Boletus carminiporus (p. 97) has whitish to pale-yellow flesh that does not stain blue when exposed; grows in mixed broadleaf forests, especially with beech, hickory, and oak, or in mixed woods with oak and pine; and has smaller spores that measure 8–11 × 3–4 µm. Suillellus subluridus (p. 314) is similar, but its stalk lacks reticulation. Lanmaoa borealis (p. 229), known from New England west to Michigan, has a dark-red to bright apple-red cap that becomes brick red to dull rusty rose in age. It has yellow to pale-yellow flesh that slowly stains blue at the stalk apex when exposed, orange-red to red pores that stain greenish blue when bruised, a stalk that is concolorous with the cap and lacks reticulation or is reticulate only at the very apex, and spores that measure 11–15 × 4–5 µm.

108 · Boletes of Eastern North America Boletus gertrudiae Peck Common name(s): Gertrude’s Bolete Overview: This bolete was named in honor of the late Gertrude Wells of Connecticut. The yellow coloration on the upper portion of the stalk is most distinctive. Cap: 5–17 cm wide, convex, becoming broadly convex in age, margin even or nearly so; surface dry or moist, soft, glabrous, pale brownish yellow to orange yellow and usually brighter yellow toward the margin when young, Boletus gertrudiae

Boletus · 109 becoming yellow to bright yellow with a paler disc at maturity; flesh white, unchanging when exposed; odor and taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: white at first, becoming bright yellow and then brownish yellow to rusty yellow at maturity, attached or slightly depressed near the stalk; tubes up to 2 cm deep. Stalk: nearly equal down to an enlarged base, solid; surface dry, reticulate over the upper one-third or at least near the apex and glabrous below, white overall when young, becoming bright yellow over the upper portion and gradually extending downward until the stalk is yellow nearly overall; flesh white or sometimes yellowish near the apex, not staining when exposed. Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, or in groups in broadleaf forests or mixed woods, especially with beech or oak; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: New England and western New York south to North Carolina, western limits yet to be established; uncommon. Spore print: color unknown, not provided in the original description. Microscopic features: spores 10–17 × 4–6 µm, subfusiform, smooth, hyaline to pale ochraceous. Edibility: unknown. Lookalikes: Boletus separans (p. 153) sometimes has a yellow zone near the stalk apex but usually has lilac tones on the cap and stalk. Boletus nobilis (p. 121) is similar but has an ochraceous to olive-ochraceous or reddish-ochraceous cap at maturity and a white to pale-ochraceous stalk that lacks bright-yellow coloration. Boletus huronensis (A)

110 · Boletes of Eastern North America Boletus huronensis A. H. Sm. & Thiers Common name(s): none. Overview: The term huronensis means “Huron,” a reference to the Canyon Lake area of the Huron Mountains of Michigan, where this species was first collected. The diagnostic features of this robust bolete include a dull yellow-brown to pale cinnamon-brown cap; pale-yellow flesh that typically stains blue when exposed; yellow to brownish-yellow pores that stain greenish blue, sometimes slowly; a thick stalk that is enlarged downward and lacks reticulation or is reticulate only at the apex; and association with hemlock. Cap: 5–25.5 cm wide, convex, becoming broadly convex or irregularly expanded in age, margin with a narrow band of sterile tissue, incurved to inrolled at first, often wavy to irregular in age; surface dry, somewhat velvety or glabrous, dull yellow brown, ocher brown, or pale cinnamon brown; flesh pale yellow, typically staining blue when exposed but sometimes slowly or not at all, with a reddish-brown line under the cuticle; odor of mercaptan or not distinctive; taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: yellow at first, becoming olive yellow to brownish yellow at maturity, often depressed at the stalk in age, sometimes slowly or erratically staining greenish blue and then reddish brown when bruised; tubes 1–3.5 cm deep. Boletus huronensis (B)

Boletus · 111 Stalk: enlarged downward, sometimes enlarged in the middle portion and tapered above and below, 2–7.5 cm thick, dense and heavy, solid; surface dry, yellow to yellowish at the apex, paler yellow to whitish below, sometimes streaked ocher to brownish or reddish brown, staining brownish where handled, sometimes reticulate only at the very apex; flesh mostly whitish, watery-streaked and grayish yellow in the base, brownish orange around larval tunnels. Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, in groups, or sometimes in fused clusters, under hemlock; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: eastern Canada south to New York and Connecticut, west to Michigan; infrequent. Spore print: olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 12–15 × 4–5 µm, ellipsoidal to oblong, smooth, pale yellowish brown. Edibility: not recommended. Although eaten by some individuals without adverse effects, this bolete has caused numerous cases of severe gastrointestinal distress. Lookalikes: Boletus edulis (p. 101) has white flesh that does not stain blue when exposed, fine white reticulation that covers most of the stalk or at least the upper one-third, and white to brownish-yellow pores that do not stain blue, and it is associated with Norway spruce and pine. Boletus longicurvipes

112 · Boletes of Eastern North America Boletus longicurvipes Snell & A. H. Sm. = Boletus viscidocorrugis Both Common name(s): none. Overview: This typically small- to medium-size bolete is easily recognized. It lives up to the name longicurvipes, which means “long curved foot” in reference to a relatively thin stalk that is frequently curved near the base. The viscid yellow-orange to brownish-orange or ochraceous cap, yellow pores that do not stain blue when bruised, and the long, curved, punctate stalk are distinctive features. The cap surface stains cherry red to reddish orange with NH4OH and bright cherry red with KOH. Boletus viscidocorrugis was originally described as a distinct species that differed from Boletus longicurvipes by having white flesh that slowly to rapidly stains pink to red and then dingy slate, whitish punctae that do not darken in age, and white stalk flesh that stains bright blue in the base or erratically throughout. Molecular analysis has shown that the ITS sequence of Boletus viscidocorrugis is identical with that of Boletus longicurvipes (Manfred Binder, personal communication, November 5, 2014), and therefore we have placed it in synonomy. Cap: 2.5–11 cm wide, convex, becoming broadly convex at maturity, margin even; surface smooth to slightly wrinkled or pitted, viscid to tacky or glutinous, shiny, yellow orange to brownish orange or ochraceous, often developing green tones in wet weather or in age; flesh white to pale yellow, usually unchanging when exposed or sometimes slowly to rapidly staining pink and then brick red and finally dingy slate; odor not distinctive; taste slightly acidic or not distinctive. Pores and tubes: pale yellow at first, becoming dull greenish yellow to greenish gray, sometimes staining yellow or brownish when bruised; tubes 8–12 mm deep. Stalk: enlarged downward or nearly equal, typically curved on the lower portion, solid; surface dry, whitish to yellowish, sometimes with reddish or pinkish tan tones, with white to yellowish punctae that usually darken to reddish brown in age, with white basal mycelium; flesh white to pale yellow, usually unchanging when exposed or sometimes slowly to rapidly staining pink and then brick red and finally dingy slate, sometimes staining bright blue in the base or erratically overall. Habitat and season: solitary or scattered in broadleaf and mixed woods with oak, pine, and hemlock; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: eastern Canada south to Georgia, west to Minnesota and Arkansas; fairly common. Spore print: olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 13–17 × 4–5 µm, oblong, smooth, pale brown. Edibility: edible and good when young, taste sweet and nutty.

Boletus · 113 Lookalikes: Because its stalk has whitish to yellow punctae that darken to reddish brown in age, Boletus longicurvipes could be mistaken for some Leccinum or Hemileccinum species. Hemileccinum subglabripes (p. 220), although similar, does not stain bright cherry red on the cap surface with the application of KOH. Boletus luridellus (A) Boletus luridellus (B)

114 · Boletes of Eastern North America Boletus luridellus (Murrill) Murrill = Boletus subsensibilis (Murrill) Murrill = Ceriomyces subsensibilis Murrill Common name(s): none. Overview: The term luridellus means “dirty brownish,” a reference to the color of this bolete’s cap. Because of the variable cap and stalk color combinations, this species may be difficult to identify. The brown cap, yellow flesh that quickly stains blue, yellow pores that stain blue, brown stalk reticulation, and association with oak and pine are its key identification features. Cap: 4–12 cm wide, pulvinate, becoming broadly convex to nearly plane in age, margin with a narrow band of sterile tissue; surface dry, somewhat velvety to nearly glabrous, yellow brown to amber brown, reddish brown, or streaked dull brown over a yellow ground color, becoming ochraceous tawny to hazel in age; flesh yellow, quickly staining blue when exposed; odor and taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: yellow at first, becoming greenish yellow to olive yellow in age, depressed at the stalk at maturity, quickly staining blue when bruised; tubes 8–16 mm deep. Stalk: nearly equal or tapered in either direction, sometimes swollen near the middle, solid; surface dry, color variable, yellow overall or only near the apex, sometimes brownish red on the lower portion or overall, usually brownish punctate and streaked dark red at the base, quickly staining blue when handled or bruised, with brown or yellow reticulation at least over the upper portion; flesh yellow down to a red base, quickly staining blue when exposed. Habitat and season: scattered or in groups in grassy areas or in woods under oak and pine; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: North Carolina south to Florida, west to Texas, distribution limits yet to be established; occasional. Spore print: olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 12–17 × 4–6 µm, fusoid, smooth, pale yellow brown. Edibility: edible. Lookalikes: Lanmaoa pseudosensibilis (p. 233) has a dull-brown cap, bright-yellow flesh that stains blue when exposed, yellow pores that bruise blue, and a yellow stalk that is sometimes tinged reddish to purplish and lacks reticulation.

Boletus · 115 Boletus mahogonicolor Bessette, Both & Dunaway Common name(s): Mahogany Bolete Overview: The term mahogonicolor refers to the color of the wood of the mahogany tree, Swietenia mahagoni, which is the color of this handsome bolete’s cap. The cap surface stains yellowish with NH4OH, and the flesh stains orange with NH4OH. Cap: 2.5–9 cm wide, convex, becoming broadly convex in age, margin incurved at first and remaining so well into maturity, with a narrow band of sterile tissue; surface dry, glabrous to silky and shiny, mahogany to reddish brown or rose brown, paler toward the margin, staining blue along the margin when bruised; flesh yellow, rapidly staining blue when exposed and then changing to pale reddish brown; odor and taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: bright yellow at first, becoming greenish yellow and then brownish yellow at maturity, staining dark blue to bluish black when bruised; tubes very shallow, 2–8 mm deep. Stalk: enlarged downward, solid; surface dry, minutely scurfy to nearly glabrous, bright yellow on the upper portion, with orange-red to Boletus mahogonicolor

116 · Boletes of Eastern North America brownish-red tones on the lower half or more, staining blue when handled or bruised, basal mycelium whitish to very pale yellow; flesh concolorous with and staining like the cap flesh. Habitat and season: scattered in mixed woods under oak and pine; late spring and summer. Distribution and frequency: currently known only from Mississippi, distribution limits yet to be established; occasional. Spore print: olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 10–13 × 3.5–4 µm, ellipsoidal, smooth, ochraceous. Edibility: unknown. Lookalikes: Boletus rubricitrinus (p. 145) has a more reddish cap, different macrochemical test reactions, longer tubes, and much larger spores, 13–19 × 5–8 µm. Boletus oliveisporus (p. 127) has a dark-fulvous cap tinged with bay that instantly stains blue black when bruised as well as much longer tubes, up to 2 cm deep, and larger spores, 11–17 × 4–6 µm. Boletus miniato-olivaceus (A)

Boletus · 117 Boletus miniato-olivaceus Frost Common name(s): Red and Olive Velvet-cap Overview: The term miniato-olivaceus means “colored with red and olive,” a reference to the cap’s colors. The cap surface stains olive yellow and then rapidly olive green to olive bronze with KOH and grayish olive with FeSO4. The flesh stains pale orange with KOH and pale yellowish with FeSO4 and is negative with NH4OH. Cap: 5–15 cm wide, convex, becoming broadly convex to nearly plane in age, margin incurved at first, even or with a narrow band of sterile tissue; surface dry, velvety, red to rosy red when young, becoming pale rose pink and developing olive tones, finally becoming rosy tan to olive yellow with rosy tints in age, often staining dark blue when bruised; flesh dull white to pale yellow, reddish under the cuticle, slowly staining blue when exposed; odor and taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: yellow at first, becoming dingy yellow to olive yellow and sometimes developing reddish tints in age, depressed at the stalk at maturity, quickly staining blue and then slowly brownish when bruised; tubes 6–16 mm deep. Stalk: nearly equal or tapered in either direction, solid, often with a pinched base; surface dry, somewhat roughened with delicate reddish punctae, Boletus miniato-olivaceus (B)

118 · Boletes of Eastern North America sometimes longitudinally striate, with reddish tints over a yellow ground color, possibly reticulate on the upper portion, basal mycelium yellowish, often staining dark blue when bruised; flesh yellow, usually darker than the cap flesh, reddish to brownish around larval tunnels, sometimes slowly staining blue. Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, or in groups in conifer, broadleaf, or mixed woodlands, often with hemlock, birch, oak, or beech; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: eastern Canada south to Florida, west to the Great Lakes region; occasional to fairly common. Spore print: olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 10–15(18) × 4–6(7) µm, fusoid to subellipsoidal, smooth, ochraceous. Edibility: reported to be poisonous, causing gastrointestinal distress. Lookalikes: Boletus sensibilis (p. 150) is very similar, but its cap does not develop olive tones with age. Its flesh has a distinctive odor that has been variously described as fruity, like maple syrup, fenugreek, curry, or licorice. In addition, it has smaller spores, 10–13 × 3.5–4.5 µm. Boletus miniatopallescens (A)

Boletus · 119 Boletus miniatopallescens A. H. Sm. & Thiers Common name(s): none. Overview: The term miniatopallescens means “red becoming pale,” a reference to this bolete’s cap color. The key identification features include the red to brick-red cap, pale-yellow flesh that stains blue, yellow pores that stain greenish blue, and yellow stalk with reddish-brown tones on the lower portion. Cap: 8–18 cm wide, convex, becoming broadly convex to nearly plane in age, margin even; surface dry, smooth or somewhat velvety, often cracked in age, red to brick red, soon fading to reddish orange or orange yellow; flesh pale yellow, staining blue when exposed; odor somewhat sweetish or not distinctive; taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: yellow, sometimes with a pale-orange tinge when young, becoming dingy yellow or tinged reddish orange with age, quickly bruising greenish blue; tubes 3–15 mm deep. Stalk: nearly equal or tapered downward, solid; surface dry, yellow overall with a pinkish bloom when young, becoming yellow on the upper portion, orange to reddish below, and developing reddish-brown tones or streaks, especially over the lower portion, occasionally finely reticulate at the apex, often staining blue when bruised; flesh concolorous with and staining like the cap flesh. Boletus miniatopallescens (B)

120 · Boletes of Eastern North America Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, or in groups under broadleaf trees, especially oaks; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: eastern Canada south to North Carolina, west to Minnesota; occasional. Spore print: olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 11–17 × 3–5 µm, narrowly fusiform, smooth, pale brown. Edibility: unknown. Lookalikes: Boletus sensibilis (p. 150) has a dark to pale brick-red cap that fades to dull rose or cinnamon with age, not to reddish orange. Its stalk is brighter yellow with less red and quickly stains blue when handled or bruised. It has yellow flesh that instantly stains blue when exposed and has an odor variously described as fruity, like maple syrup, fenugreek, curry, or licorice. Boletus nobilis (A)

Boletus · 121 Boletus nobilis Peck Common name(s): Noble Bolete Overview: The term nobilis means “noble or grand,” in reference to this bolete’s sizeable stature when mature. The key identification features include the yellowish-brown to olive-ochraceous cap, white unchanging flesh, white to yellow pore surface, and the white to pale-ochraceous and finely reticulated stalk. A new genus, Alloboletus, has been proposed for this species. Cap: 7–20 cm wide, convex, becoming broadly convex to nearly plane in age, margin even; surface dry, smooth or sometimes shallowly pitted, glabrous, yellowish brown or reddish brown at first, becoming ochraceous to olive ochraceous or reddish ochraceous with age; flesh white, becoming yellowish near the tubes, not staining when exposed; odor and taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: white at first, becoming yellow to pale ochraceous or brownish yellow, often slightly depressed at the stalk in age; tubes 8–25 mm deep. Stalk: nearly equal or sometimes swollen near the middle to slightly enlarged near the base, solid; surface dry, white to pale ochraceous, finely reticulate Boletus nobilis (B)

122 · Boletes of Eastern North America on the upper half or at least near the apex and glabrous below, rarely glabrous overall; flesh concolorous with the cap flesh. Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, or in groups under broadleaf trees, especially oak and beech; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: widely distributed throughout eastern North America; occasional to locally fairly common. Spore print: dull ocher brown to dull rusty brown. Microscopic features: spores 11–16 × 4–5 µm, subfusiform, smooth, pale olivaceous. Edibility: edible but not as desirable as its lookalikes. Lookalikes: Boletus nobilis may be confused with Boletus edulis (p. 101), which has more prominent reticulation on its stalk and grows with conifers, especially Norway spruce and pines. Boletus gertrudiae (p. 108) has a pale brownish-yellow to orange-yellow cap, and its stalk becomes bright yellow over the upper portion or nearly overall. Boletus variipes (p. 167) has a darker cap and more prominent reticulation that typically covers most of the stalk. Boletus nobilissimus (p. 123) has a darker, strongly pitted to corrugated cap and a pale-brown stalk with conspicuous reticulation that is raised in places. Boletus nobilissimus

Boletus · 123 Boletus nobilissimus Both & R. Riedel Common name(s): none. Overview: The term nobilissimus means “most dignified,” a reference to this bolete’s stately appearance. The strongly pitted to corrugated and yellow-brown to vinaceous-brown cap, club-shaped to strongly bulbous pale-brown stalk with strongly raised reticulation, and the white to yellow pores that remain unchanged when bruised are its key identification features. Cap: 9.5–15 cm wide, convex, becoming broadly convex to nearly plane in age, margin incurved at first, becoming decurved, projecting as a narrow band of sterile tissue; surface dry, opaque, with tiny hairs in small scalelike bundles, strongly pitted to corrugated, rarely only weakly pitted, yellow brown to deeper vinaceous brown, rarely beige, at times somewhat mottled in these colors; flesh white, unchanging when exposed; odor fragrant; taste mild. Pores and tubes: white and stuffed at first, soon yellow, becoming greenish yellow to greenish olivaceous in age, unchanging when bruised; tubes 8–15 mm deep. Stalk: clavate to strongly bulbous, reticulate nearly the entire length with large, compound, elongated meshes that are raised in places, apex and base white, midsection pale brown, not changing color when bruised; flesh white, with some brown stains in the basal area and around larval tunnels. Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, or in groups in mixed woods of red oak and pine; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: New England and New York, distribution limits yet to be established; uncommon. Spore print: brownish olivaceous. Microscopic features: spores 11–15.5 × 4.4–5.5 µm, subfusiform, smooth, pale yellow in Melzer’s. Edibility: edible. Lookalikes: Boletus nobilis (p. 121) has a much smoother cap surface and a whitish stalk with delicate reticulation that is not raised. Boletus edulis (p. 101) grows with conifers, especially Norway spruce or pine, and its cap is not strongly pitted or corrugated.

Boletus ochraceoluteus (A) Boletus ochraceoluteus (B)

Boletus · 125 Boletus ochraceoluteus Bessette, Both & A. R. Bessette Common name(s): none. Overview: The term ochraceoluteus means “ochraceous and yellow,” referring to the range of this bolete’s cap colors. The cap surface stains bluish green with NH4OH and exhibits an orange flash that soon becomes reddish brown with KOH. The flesh stains grayish with FeSO4. Cap: 2–7 cm wide, convex, becoming broadly convex to nearly plane in age, margin incurved, with a narrow band of sterile tissue when young, becoming decurved and even at maturity; surface dry to slightly viscid, somewhat velvety at first, becoming glabrous at maturity, finely cracked in age, ochraceous yellow to orange ocher or pale pinkish cinnamon with yellow on the margin at first, becoming dull brownish yellow in age; flesh pale to bright yellow, staining reddish and then bluish green within five minutes after being exposed; odor and taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: bright yellow and attached to subdecurrent at first, becoming dull yellow in age, slowly staining blue when bruised, somewhat depressed at the stalk in age; tubes 8–13 mm deep. Stalk: nearly equal or tapered in either direction, solid; surface dry, pale yellow, staining reddish from the base upward when bruised or with age, sometimes slowly staining blue, apex bright yellow with brownish connecting lines that form a partial network, pruinose, with a scant yellow basal mycelium; flesh yellow, staining reddish and then slowly bluish green when exposed. Habitat and season: scattered or in groups in mixed oak and pine woods; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: Georgia and Florida, west to Mississippi; uncommon. Spore print: olive brown to yellowish brown. Microscopic features: spores 10–14 × 4.5–6 µm, subfusiform to subellipsoidal, smooth, yellow, bluish gray slowly becoming dull yellow in Melzer’s, lacking an apical pore. Edibility: unknown. Lookalikes: Xerocomus hypoxanthus (p. 422) has flesh that does not stain reddish, and its cap surface stains blue to greenish blue with the application of NH4OH or KOH. Xerocomus hemixanthus (Singer) Murrill (not illustrated) has a dark-brown to reddish-brown or chestnut-brown cap that stains dark reddish brown with KOH and tan with NH4OH. It also has reddish-brown, raised ribs near the stalk apex and a white to yellowish-white basal mycelium.

Boletus oliveisporus (A) Boletus oliveisporus (B)

Boletus · 127 Boletus oliveisporus (Murrill) Murrill = Ceriomyces oliveisporus Murrill Common name(s): none. Overview: All parts of this widely distributed but uncommon bolete stain dark blue when handled or bruised. The term oliveisporus means “olive-colored spores.” Cap: 5–18 cm wide, convex, becoming broadly convex to nearly plane in age, margin with a narrow band of sterile tissue; surface dry, slightly velvety, often finely cracked in age, reddish orange overall, sometimes paler yellow orange near the margin when young, becoming dark fulvous tinged with bay or cinnamon brown to dull brown and somewhat shiny in age, instantly staining blue black when bruised; flesh yellow, staining blue when exposed, sometimes slowly; odor and taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: yellow to greenish yellow, becoming olive yellow at maturity, depressed at the stalk in age, quickly staining blue when bruised; tubes 5–20 mm deep. Stalk: nearly equal or tapered in either direction, solid; surface dry, covered nearly overall with distinct brown punctae or sometimes nearly glabrous, yellow with reddish tinges when young, becoming olive brown from the base upward as it matures, instantly staining blue black when bruised, sometimes reticulate on the upper portion, conspicuously longitudinally striate; flesh concolorous with and staining like the cap flesh, reddish brown around larval tunnels and at the very base. Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, or in groups on the ground or on stumps under pines or sometimes in mixed oak and pine woods; summer and fall. Distribution and frequency: New England south to Florida, west to Texas; occasional. Spore print: olive brown. Microscopic features: spores 11–17 × 4–6 µm, fusoid, smooth, ochraceous. Edibility: unknown. Lookalikes: Boletus mahogonicolor (p. 115) has a silky and shiny, mahogany to reddish-brown or rose-brown cap that stains blue along the margin when bruised; very shallow tubes, 2–8 mm deep; and smaller spores, 10–13 × 3.5–4 µm. Cyanoboletus pulverulentus (p. 202) has a smaller, darker-brown cap and raised longitudinal ridges on its stalk, and its cap surface displays a green flash when NH4OH is applied. Suillellus subvelutipes (p. 315) has red to orange pores.

Boletus pallidoroseus (A) Boletus pallidoroseus (B)

Boletus · 129 Boletus pallidoroseus Both Common name(s): Pale Rose Bolete Overview: The term pallidoroseus means “pale rose,” a reference to this beautiful bolete’s cap color. The pale rose-pink to pale purplish-pink cap with a yellow margin, yellow stalk with pink to reddish pink near the base, reticulation at the stalk apex, and yellow to golden-yellow flesh that has an odor of beef or chicken bouillon are its distinctive features. The cap surface stains crimson and then dull dark olive with the application of NH4OH. Cap: 6–17 cm wide, rounded at first, becoming convex to nearly plane in age, margin incurved at first, even; surface dry, glabrous to somewhat velvety or with small scale-like bundles of fibers, initially pale rose pink, purplish pink, or mottled with darker-pink tones, becoming pale orange brownish in age, golden yellow or paler yellow along the margin; flesh yellowish to yellowish white, slowly staining blue when exposed; odor reminiscent of beef or chicken bouillon or of spoiled meat with age; taste not distinctive. Pores and tubes: yellow to bright yellow at first, becoming olivaceous brownish and narrowly depressed at the stalk in age, instantly staining blue when bruised; tubes 4–8 mm deep. Stalk: nearly equal or enlarged downward, solid; surface dry, typically smooth but sometimes reticulate at the very apex, with fine matted fibers or pruinose when young, becoming nearly glabrous in age, yellow on the upper portion, becoming pink to reddish pink and often mottled downward, slowly staining pale blue when handled or bruised, with a white basal mycelium; flesh deep golden yellow and darker than the cap flesh, especially toward the base, irregularly staining blue or not staining blue at all when exposed. Habitat and season: solitary, scattered, or in groups under oak and beech, sometimes in mixed woods; summer and early fall. Distribution and frequency: eastern Canada south to North Carolina, west to Minnesota; occasional. Spore print: brownish olivaceous. Microscopic features: spores 9–12 × 3.5–5.5 µm, subfusiform to somewhat inequilateral, smooth, yellowish in Melzer’s. Edibility: edible, but not worth the effort. Lookalikes: The Baorangia bicolor complex (p. 74) is very similar, but its cap and stalk are deep red, and the odor of its flesh is not distinctive. Compare with Boletus sensibilis (p. 150), which has a dark to pale brick-red cap that fades to dull rose or sometimes dingy cinnamon in age and stains blue when bruised. It has pale-yellow cap flesh that quickly stains blue when exposed, a mostly yellow stalk, and an odor variously described as faintly fruity, like maple syrup, fenugreek, curry, or licorice.