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The Genus Boletus [ Basidiomycetes > Boletales > Boletaceae . . . ] by Michael Kuo The mushrooms in Boletus are boletes that do not typically have scabers or glandular dots on their stems. Their spore prints are olive brown to brown (a few species with yellowish or rusty spore prints, often included in Boletus, are officially placed in Xanthoconium but are treated here with Boletus). They have solid stems, and their pores are not typically elongated and radial (as in some species of Suillus). Under the microscope, their spores are not ornamented. Boletus is the largest genus of boletes, containing over 150 species in North America--though the number of species rather depends on which mycologist you're talking to. Identifying members of this genus to species can be frustrating (though not quite as frustrating as identification in Leccinum), and one is constantly finding mushrooms that do not quite fit any description. This problem is compounded by the fact that the experts keep shifting the whole genus around, dropping out species, adding new ones, and combining others. To have much success with identification, you will need to have fresh specimens representing several stages of development; the mushrooms in Boletus often change their appearance rather drastically as they develop. Specific identification pitfalls include cap color and bruising or staining changes. In general, color is one of the most unreliable features for mushroom identification (which is why looking at photos in field guides is an unsuccessful way to identify mushrooms!) . . . but with mushrooms in Boletus, one is especially likely to encounter problems with cap color. A mushroom described as having a black cap is not likely to have a white one, of course, but the brownish- and reddish-capped mushrooms in Boletus (which is most of them) are frequently variable in color, and subject to color changes due to weather conditions. As far as bruising or staining goes, you will need to be sure to check such reactions with fresh mushrooms, within 30 minutes of picking them. Waiting too long may produce unreliable results. Finally, do not be surprised if you encounter faint staining or bruising where it should not happen, according to many descriptions. As far as edibility goes, some members of the genus Boletus are among the best edible mushrooms on the planet. Boletus edulis is collected across the globe; if you have ever had "porcini" mushrooms in a meal, you know how good this scrumptious edible is. There are many members of Boletus that are edible--a few of which are as good as Boletus edulis--and, unfortunately, there are some poisonous species. |
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