Pocket Guide to Mushrooms

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The Pocket Guide to

Mushrooms

C COj))'rtght LO$ANGE - 63400 Chamall!}rt!'I - france M,maglng Editor: He"'~ Chaumeton Pro)l'Ct Coordinauon: Mu"eI Bresson Oe5ign ar.d Layout: Nathalie Lao:haud, Jean,rran~ols Lauren t. Isabelle Veret Typesetting , $t!}phaJlle Henf)', VerOOlQue Ja,.,."er, Chantal Mlaion

The author and the editorlillteam WO\.IklIIKe to acknowledge the kInd il5S1Stance of Ren!}JiKques Bouteville of lhe Avvergne Natural HI~tory SOCIety, who IS also a member of the Soci· et~ Mys help and Sher can be hekl responsrble lor any damages whal50ever that may arISe flOm the use of the contents ollhls

""'"

The Pocket Guide to

Mushrooms Jean-Marie Polese

KONEMANN

PREFACE his is a field guide to wild mushrooms, also known as fungi. It does not include all of the species, of course, because there are several thousand of the macrofungi, those which can be seen with the naked eye, but you

T

will find the most frequently found species in this book. The mushrooms featured here are generally found throughout the temperate zone of the nonhern hemisphere, though there may be slight variations from one continent to another. A few species have a more

restricted habitat but are quite common in those areas in which they grow. A certain number of species which are especially frequent or which are of particular interest due to their edibility or toxicity are dealt with in greater detail and are more extensively illustrated. This book will be of interest to the amateur mycologist as well as to the novice mushroom-picker who wants to be able to identify fungi precisely and accurately, and even to the more experienced picker who would like to extend his or her knowledge to other species, whether they are edible or nol. In order to give the reader some idea of how mushrooms are classified, we have used the method adopted by French mycologists who are the European authorities. Shape, color, odor, taste, and habitat are all properties that are unique to each species. It is rare to be able to recognize a species on the basis of one of these faaors alone. It is usually a combination of several characteristics that enable identification of a specimen with certainty. All this makes mycology, the study of fungi, a discipline which increases powers of observation and exercises the critical faculties. It also arouses a sense of wonder and increases feelings of humility when faced with the extraordinary diversity of nature and the amazing creative gen ius of which the kingdom of the fungi is proof. We hope that this book wi ll lift the veil from certain aspects of the strange and fascinating world of wild mushrooms.

CONTENTS Introduction

8

Anatomy of a fungus What is a fungus? Ecology Mushrooms and Man Picking and eating Key to identification

10 12 16 19 21 26

The Ascomycetes

32

The Phragmobasidiomycetes

58

The A[lhyl lo[lhorales

64

The Tricholomatales

106

The Aqaricales

178

The Entolomatales

230

The Cortinariales

240

The Russulales

284

The Boletales

316

The Gasteromycetes

352

Glossary Index

366 369

NonCE TO READERS The Wusmtions and descriptions of spe:cics in this book have Men produ~ed

with the greatest

ClIte.

If you an in the slightest doubt, however, as 10 the edibilily of ~ mushroom, do not eat it, and consult an identi6eation txpert.

H: height L: length

0: diameter

ANATOMY OF A MUSHROOM

OF CAP

• n IH OA m .M·- -- -t

M ET HOD OF ATTACHMENT OF GILLS TO THE S TI PE

,

TEXTURE AND SHAPE OF STIPE

CA'

Convex

Umbooate

I I I Fibrillo~

Funnel-shaped

(~I O M ARGIN OF CAP

0

Smooth

9

Undulating Of 5inuous

~

Downy

~ ~

SlI"II.IOUS

O,l!).wped

Reticulate

u~ Bulbous

Thin

~ E~ \cen~

r::efal -

Enrolled

B ULB

~ Fluted

~ SUialed

V OLVA

Sac-like

Sheath-like

Ridged bulb

WHAT IS A FUNGUS? Fungi were ollCe classified as plants. but today they are (on~idered 10 be in a class of their own, neither vegetable nor animal, inhabitants of the fungal kingdom. Unlike

plants, they do not have siems, leaves, or rool$. Fungi contain no chlorophyll, the sub·

stance that enables plants to manufacture their own food, w they are fOlced to find food from their environment, in the same way as animals The mushroom that is visible is actually jusl the largest part of an organism most of which lies in the soil. embedded in leaf litter, humus, de year to the next.

SCLEROTINIA TUBEROSA, DUMONTINIA TUBEROSA Tube ro us Sclcro tini a

DESCRIPTION: H:l 'r-4 In (4·10 em), 0:'/,-

,'1. in (1-3 em), fi~1 deeply cup-shaped lhell mallow!!r, brown 01 tlazelnut. Stipe smooth ami narrow, brown, long but panly embed-

Receptacle at

black scleiohum. No charactefistic odcw woods. hedge!ows., and meadows aloogside wood ar.emones arid Ranunculaceae such as lesser celaOOmt'. Common.

HABITAT: damp

ded in the soil, sinuous and attached to a SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS

This 1U1'lp5 anuhrs i~lf ru a Kit· rotium to tht dead roots of lht host plant. It is a hard, bbck splltrial mass mruuring about 'I. in (1 em) and rtprt-

nllling .. rt'Si§laD! form of tht fungus.

THE ASCOMYCETES BULGARIA INQUINANS Bac helor's Button DESCRIPTION: 0: '/.-1 '11 in (O.5·4 em). at first, then widening and ben cut down. Fall and winter. Common.

ASCOCORYNE SARCOIDES Fleshy Ascocorync

DESCRIPTION: 0:'/,·'" in (0.5-1.5 em). The fruiting body is cup- or funnl'!-shaped with a flattl'ned or convl'~ top, which becomes concave. Violet-pink or purple-red gl'latinous flesh, margin often lobed. Stipe absent or very short. HABITAT: in large, tightly packed clumps on rotting dead wood, esPl'{iaHy bel'ch. but alw fir. Fall and winter. Common.

NEOBULGARIA PURA Pale Bachelor's Button DESCRIPTION : 0:'I.. , '{, in (1·4 em). Conical. fleshy, and gelatir.ou~ almost

translucent. The upper side is smooth with a slightly raised margin. The underside is smooth, beige or pin~ish. HABITAT: on the bark of branches of deciduous trees that have died reUmmel through early fall. Quill' common.

SCUTELLINIA SCUTELLATA Shield·shaped Elf Cup DESCRIPTION: 0:0.2 -'1. in (0.4·1 em). A fairly regularly shaped shallow cup willi OtJt a Sfipe. The inside is bright reddimOIal'!)e and the outside beige and velvety The margin is covered in blackish-brown !lairs

',,."J.. in (110 2 mm) long. The cup is

folded inward al first, then flattens out wilh age. The flesh is reddish, with flO particular

odor or laste. HABITAT: in dense clumps on wood, some· times on SOil riCh in humus; in very humid places. ohefl beside waler. from spI"ing Ilirough fall. Common.

THE ASCOMYCETES TARZETTA CAT/NUS, PUSTULAR/A CAT/NUS Crucible Elf C up

DESCRIPTION: 0:'1._2 in (2-5 em). Another elf cup that looks like an acorn cup, though in this one the edge is curlPd over until maturity. and when it opens it exhibits tiny rounded indentations on the margin.

SPECIAL FEATURES

This is rhe largest fungus in the genus Tar:tlliI. Another common species, the

Cup-shaped Peziza (far-dla (ll,,,,/aris) i5 less than ',. in (2 em) in diameter.

The interior surface is smooth and ochla(faUS. The outer surface is paler. sometimes almost white, and covered with a very fine down. Short, thin stipe. usually buried in the substrate. Flesh thin and brittle. HABITAT: 00 bare ground in deciduous or coniferous woods and in gardens. Usually grows in groups. the specimens may be sep-

arated or tightly packed together. Fruits in summer. Fairly com moo.

SARCOSPHAERA CRASSA Crown Elf Cup

edges.. The interior is pinkish·violet, soon turning brown. Outer surface whitish. Whrtish flesh/. in (0.5 cm) thick and brittle; no particular odor or flavor. HABITAT: under beech tr~s or pine trees, espeUriace is smooth, ocher Of hcl2elnut in color. The outer surfapped

branches or beside sllCh heaps, as ~II as near old, rotten stumps. II normally appears In fall and early winter. but it is not uncomlTl()(l to find il growing in mid·winter. The winter !>pe(imens usually remain small. The fUl1 in wmmef Ihroujl fall. UI'I(OITlmon but widespreild

"" beg striated. vised. p1en !hen

,..,. """"hoi_ ""'""" ""s>j>!Iy _ _.S"'".'TOO. ""'. _ "",..,.. pale yellem IIeVi aoo oOOr\ffi, mild flavor. SPfC IAL HATl ' RI S 1I).,,~~ obnr!StJli is mother solMnye:Uow hygrophoNS, bul the "P ~ns conical and the stipe is nOI ,;,ad,

HYGROCYBE COCCINEA Sca rlel Wax-cap

DESCRIPTION: H: 1"._3',. In (4-8 em), €I: '1.-2 In (2·5 (m). CQf1vex cap. blood-re(j at

first, theflturning pmk as it ages. Widely-spaced gills. red dish orange men turning yel lower, alw.lys yellow al the edges, Stem hollow, slightly (OmPfes~, often With a longitudinal furrow, or. Fairly (ommon

and widespread.

HYGROPHORUS COSSUS Stinking Wax -ca p DESCRIPTION: H:2·4 In (5·10 un),

0: 11.-3'1. in (3·g em), The cap is hemispherical and conical, Ihefl flattened, wi th a smooth, viscid surface. whi te to cream, turning yellow or brownSPECIAL HATURFS This Wax-cap resembles the 1\'01)' Waxcap bUI is more slcndrr; the unpleasant

odor of cooked Jerusaltm artkhokes makes it distinctive. The botanical epithet ·(OSSI/S~ comes from the name of a moth whose caterpillar has the same unpleasant odor as the mU5hroom.

ish-ocher iflthe center with age. J Gills broad aod ulas, which it causes to t Summer and I, especially after heavy rain. Fairly

THE TRICHOlOMATALES ~ os, NYCTALIS PARASITICA Parasitic Nyctalis

DESCRIPTION: 0:'11-1 '/. in (1 -3 em). Cap hemispherical or conkallhen flattened and umbonate; surface silky, smooth or stri· ated, dirty while, turning g.ay.Gills thld and

widely spaced, pale gray. Stipe thin and white, about 'I. to I'/, in (2 to 4 em) long. flesh thin, whitish; strong, ra ther unpleasant

ocb. mild flavor. HABITAT: parasitiZes certain rowng specimens 01 Russula. sIKh as the Slackening

Russula, sometimes found on Milk Caps. Fall . Uncommon.

OUDEMANSIELLA MUCIDA J'orce!ain Mushroom

DESCRIPTION: H:l 't.·4 in (3-10 on). 0: , ',.-] '{. in (J-B em), Cap hemispherical then convex, brilliant whill' or slighlly russel with age. especially in the center, (overed with a \hkk mucus. Gills widely spaced, wide, and white. Stipe !hid or bulbous taward the base, stllilled above the ring, smooth and viscid below. The W{!II-developed ring is si tuated quite high on the Stipe Flesh thin and white, with a pleasant odor and IlaYCll'. HABITAT; in groups or dumps on recent wour.ds in the tlllnks and branches of beech trees. from lale Stlmmer through late fall. Very common.

OUDEMANSIELLA RADICATA Rooting Shank DESCRIPTION: H:4·8 in (10-20 an), 0:1'b4 in (4-10 em).

Cap convex but soon Ildtlenll19. with a central umbo; Viscid, smooth then very 'Min1:100, ocher, russet, 01 hazelnut. Gills wide and wnll!!. StJpI! while al the top, the same color as the cap toward the bottom, not viScid, but coriaceoos and very long, often IWisted. thickening at the base aod extended downward by a rhi-

lomorph run ' ning deep into tile soil. Flesh soft, thin, and while; faint odor, mild or slightly

biller flavor. HABITAT: on Uet! UOOU and stumps of de.

grassland and grassy moors, in summer through fall. Fairly common and widespread.

HABITAT: grows on dry twigs. thatch, poor

STROBIWRUS ESCULENTUS Edible Tough -shank

DESCRIPTION: H:",-2 in (2·5 em), 0:'/.· 1 /. in (0.5·3 em).

Cap convex then f1anening. ocher or reddishbrown viscid, sometimes slighllycreased. Gills

while, turning gray, fairly crowded. Stipe thin, CQfiaceous. and smooth, often undulating, orange or brown, paler toward the top. with

white filaments althe base. Flesh while, thin, rather CoriiKOOIJS. Faint 000f, fungal

navor.

FDiBILlTY

Dupitt its nlmt, thil Tough.shanlc is not partkuJarly talty, and it if tJltrt mtly smaU. Its inltrest IitS in the bct that it appean at a time of yur whtn olhtr mushrooms irc ra f t .

HABITAT: in groups. on spruce cones that have fallen Of are buried beneath moss, sometimes on fir cones. From ~te wimet through early spring. Fairly common.

STROBILURUS TENACELLUS Tenacious Tough-s hank

with paler or redder center. Gills white, (on· trasting with darker (olor of the cap. Stipe smooth, rooting, white or yellow at first, then taking on the color of the cap from the base, passing through orange·brown. Flesh white and very thin; faint odor and binet flavor,

DESCRIPTION: H:'/.-2'h in (2-6 em). 0·'1.- 1 in (1 -25 em). Cap smooth, reddish brown or date-brown.

HABITAT: on Scots pine cones. which maybe buried in the soil. sometimes on other cones. Spring. Fairly common.

BAEOSPORA MYOSURA Mouse-tail Tough.shank

DESCRIPTION : H:'/.· I'I, in (24 an). 0:'lr 1'/. in (I ·] an). Cap C~ then fIa~ SOO'IeIimes with small lITlbo; 5nIIXlth. ~ odler. ~kish brown or hazelnut, paler at the margin. Gills very

aowded, white or beicJ.'. Stipe the §(II:llI' cola as the cap. doMri. erdirg fl a Ioog rhCzornorjjl covered fl ....t1ite hai~ which digs deep flto the sOOstrale. FIeh thin arxl beige; fungal oeD; rrikl RaYor. HABrTAT: on pineor~e cones, fallen on the buried. or on their detached scales, in forl!51S and parks. From fall tlYOO'Jl early winter. Pr/:t)a/)/y conmon but often urnoticed. ~oond or

SP) CIA) FFATURFS

Many spKifl grow on f~llcn pine conn.

Thest incll.ldc the SIrO"i/u",s and some specits of Myccna and Collybia. They can be idcnti6ed mainly through their

microscopic char.llclcristic:s.

THE TRICHOLOMATALES

....ill...

'"

MICROMPHALE PERFORANS Perfo rating Ma rasmius

DESCRIPTION: H:'... 1'I. in (1.s-l em), 0:'1.·";10 (0.5- 1.5 em), Cap convex to Aattened. beige to pinki91brown, with a furrowed margin and center l'JlO(e or less depressed. Gjl~ be~ \0 pinkish· brown. Stipe barely '1,," in (1 mm) in diameter, ve~ty and blad:ish, except allhe lop. where it ~ paler. The flesh has a fetid odor. HABITAT: olte!1 in dense colonies on spruce or fll' needles. SUmmer through fall. Common.

XEROMPHALINA CAMPANELLA Bell Omphalia DESCRIPTION: H: 'I.-2 in (1-2 em).

r:n,.',.

in (2-5 em),

Cap umbilical from the start, With inClJrved

margin, smooth, !>lIghtly ~Iscid, striated up to the umbilicus, orange to reddish-brown. Gills bowed ar.d very de All fANI TA SPISSA

hlr.e P.nthtr Dp

[oIBLf

SI', (tAl FfATtJRFS

A b ller v.rid)' (Vat. aj,~ti/lll") grows Wldu mountain coniffn, of which the ap, which is cborittr in color an "ttain a diuMlu of 7 in (II em).

.' / "-- - "',-

"

AMANITA RUBESCENS The 81ushe r DESCRIPTION: H; 3/.·7 in (8·18 an), 0: l'/.·6In (8-15 an).

Cap domed Ihefl convex. wnn a margin thaI is not 5111a1OO, beige through pale brown, often shaded with dark l!d, COYeIed in small whrlJsh pink or pale gray detachable Rakes. which are usually vefy dense In young ~. imens, more Wldely!opa(ed and more or less concentJiC at later stages. Gills bmad and crowded, wtHte and spoued WIth pink, turning pink to the loocn. Stipe thick, becoming hollow, thickening toward the base into a bulb with a pomted end; while and striated

or smooth a~ the ring, plnl:ish while and Slightly downy under the ring, clearly

marked with crimson on the bulb. Ring wide

and pendant. wiated and perSistent. Flesh wMe, ~ reddening when cut and when damaged, reddish-brown undef the cutJdt; odoiless but with mild flavor. SPECIAl FF!\TURES The Blushtr (A...,,,,i/II I'HKsce"f) is ~ vel)' v....iable sperits, I)f which 5tVenl Vlrieti« are rfcogniud. The

"""IIIoJlli,lifurlll v";ety hu a pale sulfuryellow ring. All varieties retain the w.me future of reddening or blushing of tht flnh when CUI, tUmagcd, or faten aw~y by inl«llal'\'ae.

THE AGARICALES

...lli....

'"

HABITAT: singly or in small groups at the edge of well·lit dedduous or conif· erous forests. in highland and lowlands, on acid or slightly calcareous soil. Summer through fall. Very common and widespread.

Poisonous raw, edible well cooked. The fibrous II£m should bt disaorded.

AMANITA SPISSA False r 3nthcr Cap

DESCRIPTION: H: 3",-7 in (8· 18 em).

0: 2",_4'1/ in (7· 12 em),

EDlBIl.ITY

The cap is glQbulose. then hemispherical and finally nat, spfinkled with pale gray

Edible but not wonh caling, and should M avoidrd anyway, dur to its clost

plaques against a blown or olive brown

rrstmblance to the Panthtr Cap.

bac~ground. The

stipe is thick, fi rm and full, striated above the ring. and marked with grayish zigzag bands below it; Ihe ring

lull and striated; the bulb is nOt very marked. flesh white, thick althe center; it has a faint odor of radish and a mild navOf.

HABITAT: coniferous (~pe. dally pine) or deciduous (especially oak). prel~ably 011 acid soil. Summer through fall. Widespread bul uncommon. moll! frequently found at altitude.

SPECIAL FEATURES This mushroom I"C$CIIlblrs both the Plnth~r Cap ;md me Blll5hu but il dOl'll nOI tum pink or crimson when d'lIn.td (I' t ul and thc~ IIC no clurly marlccd ridgn ovcr the bulb.

rOTFNTlAL CONFlJSION

• AMANITA PANTHE.RlNA Panther cap

P01SONOUS

• AM ANITA RUBE.SCfNS The Blusher EDlBI.E

THE AGARICALES

.ll!.

'"

AMANITA JUNQUILLEA, A. GEMMATA Jonquil Amanita

DESCRIPTION: H: 2'lr 4/J in (6·12 em), 0: 2-4 In (5-10 em), Cap domed and soon flattening, no! very neshy, Wllh a fleshy, yel!ow-to-ocher cap and sUiated margin, ohen decorated with a few white plaqlleS 01 Hakes. Gills white. Sttpe slightly thickened al the base, becoming hollow wilh itC}I!. v.iUte and floccose; ring while, median and thin, undevelopPd and vef'J fugaceous; the votva disappears fairly quidly, somelllT~

leaving a ridge above the buh Flesh while, pale yellow ooder the cutICle, odorles.5 and with a mild fIawr.

HABITAT: coniferous 01 dKidU0U5 forests, pine and beech, 011 fairly acid soil. Spfing IhlOU9h fall. Fairly common in south em parIS of the northern hemisphere. ~ally

rOXI( lTV

Somt COIIIMItr it poisonous, oWn tcL'bIt.1M bet IhII il Iw JO 111m)' vwOons may IMM Wol ;1 is $imply .. Wititt)' of anothtt sp«ia. To M avoidtd.

AMANITA PHAllOiDES Death Ca p

DESCRIPTI ON: H: 3'lr 6'h in (9·1] em),

0:Hin(5·1ScmJ. Cap ovoid or globulose. l'nlirely (overed in a white membrane, then hemispheti!;al, aod

finally lIattened; color fairly variable, rypically yel!owish-grffil. bul also bfownish'yellow, olive brown, gfet'f1ish·bI'own, and entirely pure while In the alb.) varlely, with fine, darker, radial fibril§ and sometimes the remains of the while veil. The wrface is Silky when dry, !>lightly vis-

in wet Wl'ather. Gills crowded and (OtIS

broad, while. tulning cream with age. 511pe

elongated. firm,

~om ·

H19 more or less hollow, slightly thickened toward tile base, (O\'eted in hofIzontal, gray-green zigzag bands on a while background. NOfmally very ample but capable

of disappearing and appealS to be s!naled

THE AGARICALES

on the upper surface, whilf' Of Slightly greenish; valva oitf'n large,

KIlled aM white, sur· rounding a large bulb. Flesh while, yellow undl'1 the {utlde; faint odD( which is unpleasant in older speIBILITY

NO! Vfl)' good to u.t; it musl bot Ulcn young, U oldn sptrimcns prodlltf naUSf ••

THE AGARICALES

.1l!.

'"

AMANITA VAGINATA Grisette

DESCRIPTION: H:4·7 in (10·18 em). 0' l /r4 in (4· 10 em). Cap conical al fi~1 then expanding, always fairly umbonate; margin covered in long, deep s!Iiauons; gray to brun, maue, smooth, and generally without while plaques. Gills cra.vded, bfOad and whitt. Stipe long and slender (up to 8 in (20 em)), beUaI but hard 10 define, though rather ~L but sorneumes frullY; biter 1IaYor.

The Camphor ConinariU$ {C1IIfi"lIrill~ (IIJf1/_alus) i. vcry .sim~r. lIS stronger odor it fJltrcmdy unpkuant, and the

Htsh is tinted bllW: or violtt. Tht giI1s arc' prior to III.lIlurity.

~iokt

HABITAT: deciduous or corull'l'OUS Iorem, usually i'I the IllOlI'ltainS. on acid soil. Su'nrrM!r thrOlJl'jl mld-Ial. Common.

CORTINARIUS ANOMALUS Abnormal Cortinarius DESCRIPTION: H ]/,·4'/, in (8·12 em),

violet toward the top. while Of reddish......t1ne

o l'J,.]'.10 111 (H em), Cap COIWeX !hen expanded. WIth or WIthout

!ow;vd the bottom. '!hefe are reddish ringS on it

large umbo. with a regular then undulalrog margn gay.!oh-oche!. yt\Ic7N-brown, or reddish, someumes viOlet on the margin, and 5pfinkled with brilliant specks hke miCa. Gills violet. soon turning rust-brown. Slipe ohen rwiCe as long as the diamelef of the tap, bending. thidefUAg toward the base, blue-

the stipe v.tJidI disawear with age. The IIWI Is whlttsh-viOlet 111 the cap. viOlet al the lOP of the stipe; faint odor, mild 1Iavor. HABITAT: IfI groups in detiduoos fOf~ts (bum) or beneath conifers (pinel. in the low-

lands ard highlands.. Late summer through fall. Very common.

THE CORTINARIALES ". '" CORTlNARIUS ALBOVIOLACEUS Mauve- tinted Cortinariu 5

DESCRIPTION: H: i l.·5'/, in (7-1 4 em), 0: l"r3',. in (4)8 em). Cap campanulate then flattening, often with a very large umbo, pale lila< or pale ~iolet. covered in a sil~y white veil al first, then «(Nered in si l~y fibrils, but never viscid. Gills violet-gray then (wning reddish-brown. Stipe fairly thick, very swollen al the baM!, often

slight bowed, the same color as the cap,with a white cortina becoming rust-spoiled toward tht! lOp. Flesh thick in the cenler of the cap, thin at the edge. pale violet or bluish, espeant odOf and mild f1aYOf. HABITAT: well·lil mixed or dec:idllOUs I()(MIS on limestone. soil in early summer through fall. Fairly common and

WIdespread.

elsewhele. purpliSh-red al the base of the

E DIBILITY

Stipe, COYt'fed In a tICk, elongated blood·

led rellcuiallOO, Flesh firm at fi~t, yellow in the cap and the lop of the stipe. dark red in the base of the Sllpe, IUrning

Considtred 10 bt ,-try good 10 t.ll , bur lIYy ~Vt

cauHd some intes.tinal UpHU .

BOLETUS PULVERULENTUS I'owdcry Bolctc DESCRIPTI ON: H: 2-4~ in (5- 12 em), 0: '*-4 in (4-10 em), Cap hemispherical then eonvex. flattened at the center Of

slightly depressed. velvety. very variable in color from caf(!-aulait. ocher. chocolate brtmn, redd~ Of pink. becomirg 5taifll'd blue-black to the touch. Pores bright yellow. then d~ ILIri1] dak 1:tJ!'....t.en

,,,",,,,,,.

base. ~Icm on! IXM'derY on top. striated or p.rnctuated With red toward the bottOOl. Flesh ~, nstantly tLming briiflt bkJe v.Ml rut. then bladening: pleasant odor

"" """.

KABlTAT: oooo.ws{oaIQ oraMro.JS~ ~

forest paths, in parks on! PrefetS lfnesIone d, Stmmer tIvooj1 fall.

~

UncorMlon.

stipe thinnirg tov.ard the

XEROCOMUS PARAS/TICUS "arllSi tic Bolctc DESCRIPTION: H: 1.H~ 11 (4-8cm). 0: 1)1-4 11 (2-5 cm), Cap I'oembpherical then eonvex, siicjnly veIYety on! oadlog: on the suface, ocher yellow to bro'MlIsh-olive. Pores ame art! angola( ocher yellow . tlJr'lIO'!! rust colored. but nol blueirI;I. S~ smoolh aOO fbillose, otten Cl.I\Ied al the base. reddishbrCWl or ~1oN- brOM'l.FIesh thid and pale. not reddenirg v.Ml rut; flavor mild. DOOr pleasant. HAMAT: Parasitic on the Common Eanhball (Scleroderma

cifrinum). II grows in gr~ 01two or wee at the base of the Eanh-b.1llon very hunid soils. St.mmer throucjl fall. Fairly fh veil, whidlleaves no lir-.g sifl{e it is nol allaOil, on high. land or lowland. lale summer through fall. Found all over the world.

SUILWS VARIEGATUS Speckled Bolete

DESCRIPTION: H: 2',.,41,. in (6·12 em), 0: 2'1.-6 in (6-15 em). Cap hemispherical then flattened with a thin margin, ~lIow ocher, orange, or brown-

ish'yellow, later turning olivaceous. Vel\lf!ty al first then finely granulose. slightly viscid in wet weather. Pofes small and angUlar. yellowish then brownish·green, turning SPECIAL FFATURES 1'hi$ and 1M Sp«kkcI Bokte arc the only specia of SuJ/us growing IIndu piM

wbo5c Mipt has no ring or granulation.

faintly blue to the touch'stipe long and sturdy, yellowish. Flesh fi rm, rapidl y sohening, pale yellow,

faintly blueing, when CUI; faint odOf of bleach, mild but unpleasam flavor. HAB ITAT: coni ferous woods. es~ia l ly pine, in the mountains, mainly on acidic Of sandy soil. late summer through lall. Common.

THE BOLETALES

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SUILWS GRANULATUS Yellow Pine BolclO!

DESCRIPTION: H: 3:4-5 in (8·15 on), 0: 2·4~ in (5-12 em). Cap hemispherical or cooical\hef1 convex, yellowish-orange to reddish-brown, unl· form, very viSCid when ~I, silq and maue in dry weathef, With it cullde that ow/taps the rrargin and is easily detach-

dish or brownish granutatioM. Flesh thICk, while or yellow, unchanging wtlen cut. Spicy odor and navor. HABITAT: in groups, only tinder pines (5