Boletus radicans
Encyclopedia
Boletus radicans, also known as the rooting bolete or whitish bolete, is a large, rare ectomycorrhizal fungus
found in Europe under deciduous trees in summer and autumn. It has a pale buff or white cap, yellow pores and a stout stem, and stains blue when bruised or cut. It is bitter and inedible.
in 1801. Its specific epithet is derived from the Latin
radic- 'root'. Boletus albidus is a later synonym. It has been called the whitish bolete.
diameter ranges from 7.5–30 cm (3–10 in) across, and is usually dirty white or buff. Sometimes reminiscent of a large stone from a distance. Downy at first, but cracking at the centre later. Measuring 5–8 cm (2–3¼ in) tall by 3–4 cm (1¼–1⅔ in) wide, the stipe
is usually (but not always) swollen, with a rooting base. The apex being bright lemon yellow, and fading below. There is a light straw coloured, sometimes absent reticulation at the top. The flesh is pale yellow, turning white in the cap, and pale blue in the stem when cut. The pores are lemon yellow, small and round, and bruise blue. The spore print
is olivaceous walnut-brown.
species (Oak
and Beech
), and is sometimes found in fairly large numbers. Not too fussy, the species grows on both chalk and more acidic soils in southern England and is present elsewhere in Europe.
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
found in Europe under deciduous trees in summer and autumn. It has a pale buff or white cap, yellow pores and a stout stem, and stains blue when bruised or cut. It is bitter and inedible.
Taxonomy
Boletus radicans was first described by the pioneering South African-born mycologist Christian Hendrik PersoonChristian Hendrik Persoon
Christiaan Hendrik Persoon was a mycologist who made additions to Linnaeus' mushroom taxonomy.-Early life:...
in 1801. Its specific epithet is derived from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
radic- 'root'. Boletus albidus is a later synonym. It has been called the whitish bolete.
Description
The capPileus (mycology)
The pileus is the technical name for the cap, or cap-like part, of a basidiocarp or ascocarp that supports a spore-bearing surface, the hymenium. The hymenium may consist of lamellae, tubes, or teeth, on the underside of the pileus...
diameter ranges from 7.5–30 cm (3–10 in) across, and is usually dirty white or buff. Sometimes reminiscent of a large stone from a distance. Downy at first, but cracking at the centre later. Measuring 5–8 cm (2–3¼ in) tall by 3–4 cm (1¼–1⅔ in) wide, the stipe
Stipe (mycology)
thumb|150px|right|Diagram of a [[basidiomycete]] stipe with an [[annulus |annulus]] and [[volva |volva]]In mycology a stipe refers to the stem or stalk-like feature supporting the cap of a mushroom. Like all tissues of the mushroom other than the hymenium, the stipe is composed of sterile hyphal...
is usually (but not always) swollen, with a rooting base. The apex being bright lemon yellow, and fading below. There is a light straw coloured, sometimes absent reticulation at the top. The flesh is pale yellow, turning white in the cap, and pale blue in the stem when cut. The pores are lemon yellow, small and round, and bruise blue. The spore print
Spore print
thumb|300px|right|Making a spore print of the mushroom Volvariella volvacea shown in composite: mushroom cap laid on white and dark paper; cap removed after 24 hours showing pinkish-tan spore print...
is olivaceous walnut-brown.
Distribution and habitat
Appearing in summer and autumn, Boletus radicans grows with Quercus and FagusBeech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
species (Oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
and Beech
Beech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
), and is sometimes found in fairly large numbers. Not too fussy, the species grows on both chalk and more acidic soils in southern England and is present elsewhere in Europe.