Pileus2.5–4 in. broad.Stem2–3 in. long, 6 lines thick.
Thick woods. Ohio,Morgan.
A shade of yellow sometimes appears beneath the brown of the pileus, and as the plants grow old the pileus becomes blackish, glabrous andshining. The stem increases in thickness above and downward.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. badi´cepsPk.—badius, bay and head. (PlateCXVI, p. 420.)Pileusfirm, convex or somewhat centrally depressed when mature, dry, velvety, obliquely truncate on the margin, bay-red or dark-maroon color.Fleshwhite unchangeable, taste and odor mild, sweet, suggestive of molasses.Tubesplane, adnate, white or whitish, becoming dingy with age, the mouths minute.Stemequal or slightly swollen in the middle, radicating, glabrous, solid, brownish.
Pileus4–8 cm. broad.Stem4–5 cm. long, 1.5–3 cm. thick.
Oak woods. West Philadelphia, Pa. August and September.Charles McIlvaine.
The truncate or beveled margin of the pileus is a striking feature in this species. It is about 4 mm. broad and as even as if cut with a knife. Sometimes the surface of the stem ruptures transversely just below the top, the liberated shreds above curling upward against the tubes and those below curving outward and downward. In mature plants brownish spots appear in the flesh of the pileus. “When cooked it is of high flavor and tender as kidney,”C. McIlvaine.Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, January 27, 1900.
Grouped by F.D. Briscoe—Studies by C. McIlvaine.Plate CXVIII.Fig.Page.Fig.Page.1.Boletus separans,4454.Boletus scarer areolatus,461–4632.Boletus russelli,4365.Boletus edulis,4453.Boletus illudens,439
Grouped by F.D. Briscoe—Studies by C. McIlvaine.Plate CXVIII.
Grouped by F.D. Briscoe—Studies by C. McIlvaine.Plate CXVIII.
Grouped by F.D. Briscoe—Studies by C. McIlvaine.Plate CXVIII.
Stem elongated, coarsely pitted or deeply and lacunosely reticulated in small hollows, the ridges somewhat intumescent in wet weather and more or less lacerated, giving a rough or shaggy appearance to the stem.
The species of this tribe are few, very closely allied and so far as known are peculiar to this country.
B. Rus´selliFrost—Russell’s Boletus. (PlateCXVIII, fig. 2, p. 436.)Pileusthick, hemispherical or convex,dry, covered with downy scales or bundles of red hairs, yellowish beneath the tomentum, often cracked inareas.Fleshyellowish, unchangeable.Tubessubadnate, often depressed around the stem, rather large, dingy-yellow or yellowish-green.Stemvery long, equal or tapering upward, roughened by the lacerated margins of the reticular depressions,red or brownish-red.Sporesolive-brown, 18–22×8–10µ.
Pileus1.5–4 in. broad.Stem3–7 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.
This is distinguished from the other species by the dry squamulose pileus and the color of the stem. The latter is sometimes curved at the base.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. Russelli occurs in the West Virginia mountains, where I found and ate it in August, 1883. Though solitary in its method of growth, it is frequent in many parts of Pennsylvania, among leaves in mixed woods. August to October.
Taste when raw, sweet, mild. Cooked it is rather soft, tasty. Tubes and stem should be removed.
B. Mor´ganiPk.Pileusconvex, soft,glabrous viscid, red or yellow, or red fading to yellow on the margin.Fleshwhitish tinged with red and yellow, unchangeable.Tubesconvex, depressed around the stem, rather long and large, bright-yellow becoming greenish-yellow.Stemelongated, tapering upward, pitted with long, narrow depressions,yellow, red in the depressions, colored within like the flesh of the pileus.Sporesolive-brown, 18–22µ long, about half as broad.
Pileus1.5–2.5 in. broad.Stem3–5 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.
Rocky hillsides in woods of deciduous trees. Kentucky,Morgan.
In wet weather the anastomosing ridges of the stem swell and become broadly winged, thereby giving the stem a peculiar lacerated appearance. The glabrous viscid pileus and the coloration of the stem distinguish the species.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. Morgani is found in like localities with B. Russelli. Excepting in its smooth, viscid cap and whitish flesh, it closely resembles the latter. The ridges in the stems of both species swell when moist.
Its edible qualities are the same as B. Russelli.
B. Be´tulaSchw.—birch.Pileusconvex, viscose and shining in wet weather, tessellately cracked and reticulated, orange-fawn color, rather small.Fleshyellowish-white.Tubesseparating, rather large,yellow, almost like those of B. subtomentosus butnot greenish.Stemlong,attenuated downward, everywhere covered with a deciduous reticulated bark two lines high and separating like the bark of birches,pale-yellow without and within.
Pileus1.5 in. broad.Stem5–6 in. long.
Ligneous earth. North Carolina,Schweinitz,Curtis; Pennsylvania,Schweinitz.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
During several seasons I found B. Betula in Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia.
Edible qualities good.
Stemstout, at first bulbous, typically venose-reticulated with veins.Tubesadnate, their mouths not reddish.
The reticulate stem and adnate tubes of one color distinguish the species of this tribe. In the Luridi the mouths of the tubes are differently colored, and in the closely related Edules the tubes are more or less depressed around the stem or sub-free, and their pores are commonly stuffed when young. Fries did not admit species with whitish tubes into this tribe, but we have done so in those cases in which this was the only character to exclude them.
B. specio´susFrost—handsome.Pileusat first very thick, subglobose, compact, then softer, convex, glabrous or nearly so, red.Fleshpale-yellow or bright lemon-yellow, changing to blue where wounded.Tubesadnate, small, subrotund, plane or but slightly depressed around the stem, bright lemon-yellow, becoming dingy-yellow with age, changing to blue where wounded.Stemstout, subequal or somewhat bulbous, reticulated,bright lemon-yellow without and within, sometimes reddish at the base.Sporesoblong-fusiform, pale ochraceous-brown, 10–12.5×4–5µ.
Pileus3–7 in. broad.Stem2–4 in. long, 10–24 lines thick.
Thin woods. New England,Frost; New York,Peck.
This is a very beautiful Boletus. When young the whole plant except the surface of the pileus is of a vivid lemon-yellow color. Wounds quickly change to green, then to blue. The color of the pileus approaches closely to solferino.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Caps of specimens found in mixed woods at Mt. Gretna, Pa., were minutely areolate when old. Stems yellow at top and with purplish red over the bright yellow toward the bulbous base, solid, bright yellow within.
Stems and caps are edible and rank high in flavor and texture.
B. illu´densPk.—deceiving. (PlateCXVIII, fig. 3, p. 436.)Pileusconvex, dry, subglabrous, yellowish-brown or grayish-brown, sometimes tinged with red, especially in the center.Fleshpallid or yellowish.Tubesbright yellow, plane or somewhat convex when old, adnate, their mouths angular or subrotund, often larger near the stem.Stemnearly equal, sometimes abruptly pointed at the base, glabrous, pallid or yellowish, coarsely reticulated either wholly or at the top only.Sporesoblong or subfusiform, yellowish-brown tinged with green, 11–12.5×4–5µ.
Pileus1.5–3 in. broad.Stem1.5–2.5 in. long, 3–5 lines thick.
Woods and copses. Port Jefferson. July.Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Found in plenty at Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1898. On ground and old stumps in mixed woods. Identified by Professor Peck.
Taste and smell pleasant. Cooked as egg-plant it is one of the best. Remove tubes.
B. Peck´iiFrost—after C.H. Peck.Pileusconvex, firm, dry, subglabrous,red, fading to yellowish-red or buff-brownwith age, the margin usually retaining its red color longer than the disk.Tubesadnate or slightly decurrent, nearly plane, yellow, changing to blue where wounded.Stemequal or subventricose, reticulated,red, yellow at the top.Sporesoblong, pale ochraceous-brown, 9–12×4–5µ.
Var.læ´vipes.Stemreticulated above, even below.
Pileus2–3 in. broad.Stem2–3 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.
Woods of frondose trees. New York,Peck.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. cal´opusFr.Gr—beautiful;Gr—foot.Pileusglobose, then convex, unpolished,subtomentose, olivaceous.Fleshpallid, slightly changing to blue when wounded.Tubesadnate, their mouths minute, angular, yellow.Stemfirm, conical, then elongated and subequal, reticulated,wholly scarlet or at the apex only, sometimes colored like the pileus toward the base.Sporesfusiform, yellowish-brown, 7–8×3–4µ.
Pileus2–3 in. broad.Stemlonger than the diameter of the pileus.
Woods. North Carolina,Schweinitz,Curtis; Pennsylvania,Schweinitz; New England,Sprague,Bennett.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. orna´tipesPk.—ornate-stem. (Boletus retipes, Rep. 23.)Pileusconvex, firm, dry, glabrous or very minutely tomentose,grayish-brown or yellowish-brown.Fleshyellow or pale-yellow.Tubesadnate, plane, or concave, rarely convex, the mouths small or medium size, clear-yellow.Stemfirm, subequal, distinctly and beautifully reticulated, yellow without and within.Sporesoblong,ochraceous-brown, 12–16×4–5µ.
Pileus2–5 in. broad.Stem2–4 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.
Thin woods and open places. New York,Peck.
The color of the tubes becomes darker with age, but it does not change to blue where wounded. The species is related to the next followingone with which it has sometimes been confused, but from which it is clearly distinct. The color of the spores is quite dark and approaches snuff-brown.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Edible. Good.
B. re´tipesB. and C.—reticulate stem.Pileusconvex, dry,powdered with yellow, sometimes rivulose or cracked in areas.Tubesadnate, yellow.Stemsubequal,cespitose, reticulate to the base,pulverulent below.Sporesgreenish-ochraceous, 12–15×4–5µ.
Pileus1.5–2 in. broad.Stem2 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.
The tufted mode of growth, pulverulent pileus and paler-colored spores separate this species from the preceding one.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
West Virginia, 1882–1885. Mt. Gretna, Pa.; New Jersey,McIlvaine.
The caps, alone, of this species, are desirable, the stems not cooking well. Its way of bunching itself gratifies the collector, as do its flavor and quality.
B. pa´chypusFr.Gr—thick-footed.Pileusconvex, subtomentose, brownish or pale tan-color.Fleshthick, whitish, changing slightly to blue.Tubesrather long,somewhat depressed around the stem, their mouths round, pale-yellow, at length tinged with green.Stemthick, firm, reticulated, at first ovate-bulbous, then elongated, equal,variegated with red and pale-yellow.Sporeslarge,ovate, pale yellowish-ochraceous, 12.5–14×5–6µ.
Pileus4–8 in. broad.Stem2–4 in. long.
Woods, either of pine or beech.
This species is noted for its thick, stout stem, which sometimes attains a diameter of more than two inches. It approaches the Edules in habit, but according to Gillet it is poisonous, or at least to be suspected, has a penetrating unpleasant odor and a somewhat nauseous flavor. He also describes the pores as at first whitish. The stem is sometimes intensely blood-red.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
A common species in West Virginia mountains, 1881–1885, in beech groves. August to frost. It is rare in the pines of New Jersey, though I have found it there. Like B. felleus, its size and attractiveness induce the finder to over and over again try cooking it, hoping the discovery of a successful way to rid it of its unpleasantness. I have never succeeded. It is not poisonous.
B. rimosel´lusPk.—cracked.Pileusbroadly convex, flat or irregular, glabrous,tessellately cracked, dark-brown.Fleshwhitish.Tubesadnate or sinuately decurrent, somewhat depressed around the stem, pale-yellow, becomingdarker or brownishwith age.Stemtapering upward, broadly reticulated with brown veins,yellowish-white.Sporesfusiform, 15–17.5×5–6µ.
Pileus3–5 in. broad.Stem3–4 in. long, 6–9 lines thick.
Mixed woods. North Carolina,C.J. Curtis.
I have described this species from the notes and a single dried specimen sent me by Mr. Curtis. More extended observation may require some modification of the description. The color of the spores is described as brown. They are remarkable for their size.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. modes´tusPk.—modest.Pileusconvex or nearly plane, often irregular, firm, dry, very minutely tomentose,yellowish-brown.Fleshgray or pinkish-gray.Tubesnearly plane, adnate or subdecurrent, the mouths angular, pale-ochraceous.Stemequal, reticulated, brown.Sporeselliptical, 10×5µ.
Pileus2–3 in. broad.Stem1–2 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.
Grassy ground in thin woods. New York,Peck.
Miss Banning finds in Maryland what appears to be a form of this species in which the part of the hymenium near the stem consists of lamellæ, the rest of tubes. The species needs further investigation.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. Cur´tisiiBerk.—after Dr. Curtis.Pileushemispherical or convex,viscose, golden-yellow.Tubesdepressed around the stem, nearly free, their mouths umber, at length tawny.Stemslender, attenuated upward, polished, reticulated, straw-colored.Sporesferruginous, subelliptical, slightly attenuated at each end.
Pileus1 in. or more broad.Stem2 in. long, 2–3 lines thick.
Pine woods. North and South Carolina,Curtis.
In the original description the stem of this species is said to be hollow.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. gri´seusFrost—gray.Pileusbroadly convex, firm, dry, subglabrous,gray or grayish-black.Fleshwhitish or gray.Tubesadnateor slightly depressed around the stem, nearly plane, their mouths small, subrotund,white or whitish.Stemequal or slightly tapering upward, distinctly reticulated,whitish or yellowish, sometimes reddish toward the base.Sporesochraceous-brown, 10–14×4–5µ.
Pileus2–4 in. broad.Stem2–4 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.
Thin woods and open places. New York,Peck.
Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. flexuos´ipesPk.—flexuous stem.Pileusconvex or plane, even, subtomentose,pale-brown.Fleshwhite, unchangeable, the cuticle separable.Tubeslong, convex,decurrent, white or whitish, becoming brownish with age.Stemflexuous, solid, reticulated, whitish or pallid,changing to brown where bruised.Spores7.5–10×4µ.
Pileus3–4 in. broad.Stem4–6 in. long, 8–15 lines thick.
Mixed woods. North Carolina,C.J. Curtis.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. ferrugi´neusFrost—rust color.Pileusconvex, soft, subtomentose, dark reddish-brown.Fleshwhite, unchangeable.Tubesgenerally adnate, dingy-white, their mouths stained brown by the spores.Stemshort, reticulated, dark-brown.Spores10–13×6µ.
Pileus3–6 in. broad.
Borders of woods. New England,Frost.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Alabama, 1897.
B. rubigino´susFr.—rusty.Pileusconvex, soft, pubescent, soon bare,brownish-rust color.Fleshsubspongy, white, unchangeable.Tubesadnate, their mouths unequal, white.Stemfirm, stout, reticulated, at firstwhitish or pallid, thenyellowish, subcinereous or yellowish-olivaceous where touched.
Pileus2–4 in. broad.Stem2–3 in. long, 1 in. thick.
Woods. North Carolina,Curtis.
Although apparently distinct, this and the two preceding species are not sufficiently well known.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. tabaci´nusUnd.Pileusfleshy, convex or nearly plane, subglabrous, often cracked in areas, tawny-brown.Fleshat maturity soft and similarly colored.Tubesconcave or nearly plane, depressed aroundthe stem, their mouths small, angular, colored like the pileus.Stemsubequal, solid, reticulated, concolorous.Sporesoblong or subfusiform, 12.5–14×5µ.Pileus2.5–5 in. broad.Stem1.5–3 in. long, 6–10 lines thick.
Along road-sides. Alabama. May.Underwood.
The species is referable to the section Calopodes, but the tubes are more or less depressed about the stem.Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 23, No. 10.
Tubessubfree, rounded-depressed around the stem, their mouths not at first reddish, but commonly white-stuffed.Stemstout, bulbous as in the Luridi but not, with a few exceptions, reticulate nor dotted with pointed scales nor red.Fleshscarcely changeable.Tastepleasant.
This tribe is not sharply limited but partakes to some extent of the characters of Calopodes and Luridi. From the former its nearly free and at first white-stuffed tubes and its generally even stem separate it, from the latter its tubes with concolorous mouths or at least with mouths not red or reddish when young will distinguish it. The species are generally of large or medium size and noted for their esculent qualities.
Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. sep´aransPk. (PlateCXVIII, fig. 1, p. 436.)Pileusconvex, thick, glabrous, subshining, often pitted, pitted or corrugated, brownish-red or dull-lilac, sometimes fading to yellowish on the margin.Fleshwhite, unchangeable.Tubesat first nearly plane, adnate, white and stuffed, then convex, depressed around the stem, ochraceous-yellow or brownish-yellow and sometimes separating from the stem by the expansion of the pileus.Stemequal or slightly tapering upward, reticulated either wholly or in the upper part only, colored like the pileus or a little paler, sometimes slightly furfuraceous.Sporessubfusiform, brownish-ochraceous, 12–15×5–6µ.
Pileus3–6 in. broad.Stem2–4 in. long, 6–12 lines thick.
Thin grassy woods. New York,Peck.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
West Virginia. September, 1881. New Jersey and Pennsylvania. October, 1887,McIlvaine. Indiana, October, 1898.Dr. J.R. Weist,H.I. Miller.
One of the handsomest of Boleti. It varies greatly in size and color, but traces of purple or lilac are always detectable. The reticulations upon the stem are often obscure, especially in young specimens.
It is pleasant when raw, and quite equal to any Boletus when cooked.
(Plate CXIX.)1,Boletus edulis, var. clavipes.2, 3,Boletus edulis.
(Plate CXIX.)
1,Boletus edulis, var. clavipes.2, 3,Boletus edulis.
1,Boletus edulis, var. clavipes.2, 3,Boletus edulis.
1,Boletus edulis, var. clavipes.2, 3,Boletus edulis.
B. edu´lisBull.—edulis, edible. (PlateCXVIII, fig. 5, p. 436.)Pileusconvex or nearly plane,glabrous, moist, at first compact, then soft, variable in color, grayish-red, brownish-red or tawny-brown, often paler on the margin.Fleshwhite or yellowish, reddish beneath the cuticle.Tubesconvex, nearly free, long, minute, round,white, then yellow and greenish.Stemshort or long, straight or flexuous, subequal or bulbous, stout, more or less reticulate, especially above, whitish, pallid or brownish.Sporesoblong-fusiform, 12–15×4–5µ.
Var.cla´vipes. PlateCXIX.Stemtapering upward from an enlarged base, everywhere reticulated.
Pileus4–6 in. broad.Stem2–6 in. long, 6–18 lines thick.
Woods and open places. Not rare.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Indiana,H.I. Miller,Dr. J.R. Weist; New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia,McIlvaine.
Some species of fungi appear to have that prize of Fairyland—the Wishing Cap—and by its power be able to take on any form they please. Boletus edulis is one of them. Its variableness is puzzling. It is eaten everywhere where found and is a favorite. Carefully sliced, dried and kept where safe from mold it may be prepared for the table at any season.
B. edulisBull.—Var.clavipesPk. (PlateCXIX, fig. 1, p. 445.)Pileusfleshy, convex, glabrous, grayish-red, bay-red or chestnut-color.Fleshwhite, unchangeable.Tubesat first concave or nearly plane, white and stuffed, then convex, slightly depressed around the stem, ochraceous yellow.Stemmostly obclavate (inversely club-shaped) and reticulate to the base.Sporesoblong-fusiform, 12–15×4–5µ.
The club-stemmed Boletus is so closely related to the edible Boletus and so closely connected by the intermediate forms that it seems to be only a variety of it, but one worthy of illustration. It differs in the more uniform color of the cap, in having the tubes less depressed around the stem and less tinted with green when mature, and in having the stem more club-shape and commonly reticulated to the base. The lower reticulations are usually coarser but less permanent than the upper. The cap is more highly colored when young and is apt to become paler with age, but the margin does not become paler than the central part, as it so often does in the edible Boletus. Individuals sometimes occur in which the stem is nearly cylindric and reticulated only on the upper part. These connect so closely with the edible Boletus that we have considered this to be a mere variety of it. In size and in edible qualities it is very similar to that species.Peck, 51st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Same in quality as B. edulis.
B. vari´ipesPk.—variable stem.Pileusconvex or nearly plane, thick, soft, dry,scaly, pointed scaly or minutely tomentose, grayish or pale grayish-brown, sometimes tinged with yellow or ochraceous.Fleshwhite, unchangeable.Tubesconvex or nearly plane, slightly depressed around the stem, at first white, then greenish-yellow, their mouths small, subrotund,ochraceous, stuffed when young.Stemfirm, reticulated,whitish or pallid.Sporesoblong-fusiform, ochraceous-brown tinged with green, 12–15×5µ.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. August, 1898. Stem slightly reticulated at top, indistinctly striate below. Smell and taste strong, like B. felleus, but sweetish, not bitter. When tubes are removed and cap fried it is excellent.
Var.al´bipes.Stemwhitish, wholly reticulated, the reticulations coarser near the base.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. August, 1898. Taste slightly acrid, smell slight. Excellent.
Var.pallid´ipes.Stempallid, slightly furfuraceous, even or obscurely reticulated toward the base, distinctly reticulated above.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Satiny, shining. Taste slightly acrid, smell slight. Excellent.
Var.tenu´ipes.Stemslender, elongated.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. August, 1898, on decaying chestnut stump and on ground. Excellent.McIlvaine.
This species, with its varieties, grows in mixed woods, the density of which has much to do with its general appearance. Individuals growing where the sun plays upon them, show the reticulations plainer than those maturing in the shade. The tubes should be removed before cooking. The caps are best fried.
B. exi´miusPk.—select.Pileusat first very compact, subglobose or hemispherical, subpruinose,purplish-brown or chocolate color, sometimes with a faint tinge of lilac, becoming convex, soft, smoky-red or pale-chestnut.Fleshgrayish or reddish-white.Tubesat first concave or nearly plane, stuffed, colored nearly like the pileus, becoming paler with age and depressed around the stem, their mouths minute, rotund.Stemstout, generally short, equal or tapering upward, abruptly narrowed at the base,minutely branny, colored like or a little paler than the pileus, purplish-gray within.Sporessubferruginous, 12.5–15×5–6µ.
Pileus3–10 in. broad.Stem2–4 in. long, 6–12 lines thick.
Woods and their borders. New England,Frost; New York,Peck.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
In mixed woods and in new clearings near Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia, Pa.McIlvaine.
A patch of it is treasure trove.
B. lepro´susPk.—leprous. Pileus very convex, glabrous, soft like kid, cinereous-yellowish-drab or pale-brown,slowly changing to whitish where bruised, the cuticle separable.Fleshwhite, changing to yellowish.Tubesyellow or brownish-yellow,changing to greenish wherewounded, plane, depressed around the stem, short, small, stuffed when young.Stemsolid, enlarged at the top,lemon-yellow.Sporesoblong-fusiform, 12.5–15×5µ.
Pileus4–6 in. broad.Stem2 in. long, 1 in. thick.
Mixed woods. North Carolina,C.J. Curtis.
This plant is remarkable for the whitish or leprous spots which the pileus assumes, even from being handled, and for the change in the color of the flesh and tubes. The stem is very thick at the top but tapers downward.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
(Plate CXX.)Boletus affinis.
(Plate CXX.)
Boletus affinis.
Boletus affinis.
Boletus affinis.
B. affi´nisPk.—related.Pileusconvex above or nearly plane, subglabrous, reddish-brown or chestnut color fading to tawny or dingy-ochraceous with age.Fleshwhite.Tubesplane or convex, adnate or slightly depressed around the stem, at first white and stuffed, then glaucous-yellow or subochraceous, changing to rusty-ochraceous where wounded.Stemsubequal, even, glabrous, colored like or paler than the pileus.Sporesrusty-ochraceous, 9–12×4–5µ.
The Related boletus belongs to the tribe of Boleti known as Edules because of their especially esculent character, but it differs from the general character of the tribe in having its tubes not at all or but slightly shortened around the stem and in its stem not being thickened or bulbous at the base. The species is quite variable in the color of the cap, which is generally darker in young plants, paler in old ones. It may be brown, reddish-brown or blackish-brown when young, but is more or less tinged with tawny or ochraceous when old. It is smooth and even or minutely tomentose and sometimes slightly rugose. In wet weatherthe margin of the cap sometimes curves upward, giving a very convex surface to the tubes. Sometimes the wounded flesh slowly assumes a yellowish hue. The peculiar rusty-ochraceous hue of the spores is also seen sometimes in the tubes of old specimens. As in many species, the flesh of old plants is more soft than that of young ones. The stem is quite variable and is often narrowed downward. It is sometimes very obscurely reticulated at the top.
The cap is generally 2–4 in. broad, the stem 1.5–3 in. long, 4–8 lines thick. The plants are found in thin woods or in bushy places in July and August.
Var.maculo´susPk. differs from the type simply in having a few yellowish spots scattered over the cap.
While not as high flavored as some Boleti this is, nevertheless, a fairly good and perfectly safe one.Peck, 49th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Very open timber in Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia. August, 1898.McIlvaine.
A solitary species which does not appear to be plentiful. The whole fungus is edible, but the stems and tubes are of different texture from the caps and do not cook well with them.
B. æstiva´lisFr.—pertaining to summer.Pileusconvex or nearly plane, even,glabrous, whitish, granulose in dry weather.Fleshyellow below, white above.Tubesnearly free, the mouths minute, equal, yellow.Stemvery thick, bulbous, even, glabrous, pale yellow, reddish within at the base.Sporeselongated-oval, greenish-brown, rather dark, 11×4–5µ.
Pileus4–6 in. broad.Stem4–5 in. long.
Woods and woodland pastures. Minnesota,Johnson; California,H. and M.
A large species, recorded as edible and said to be pleasant and delicate in flavor. I have seen no specimens of this.Peck, Boleti of the United States.
West Virginia mountains, 1882, Haddonfield, N.J., 1894,McIlvaine, on grassy margin of woods.
The flesh is sweet, nutty. Remove stems and tubes when old.
B. impoli´tusFr.—unpolished.Pileusconvex, dilated,flocculose, at length grained in lines, unpolished,tawny-brown.Fleshwhite orwhitish, unchangeable, yellowish under the cuticle.Tubesfree, their mouths minute, yellow.Stemstout, subbulbous, even,pubescent, pale-yellow, sometimes with a reddish zone near the top.Sporesoval or fusiform, pale greenish-brown, 7.5–10×5µ.
Pileus4–6 in. broad.Stem2 in. long.
Oak woods. California,Harkness and Moore.
This species is recorded as edible and said to be among the most delicious. It is evidently rare in this country. According to Quelet the spores are ellipsoid, papillate, 15–18µ long.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Near Bartram’s Garden, West Philadelphia, Pa., 1885. Thin mixed woods.McIlvaine.
That this species is edible and delicious is vouched for by many. I can add my own pleasurable experience.
B. deco´rusFrost.—decorous.Pileusconvex, rather firm, tomentose, brownish tinged with red, the margin often darker colored.Fleshwhite, unchangeable.Tubesbecoming free, yellow,changing to green where wounded.Stembulbous, minutely branny,brownish-red, the bulb sometimes white and attenuated at the base.Spores13×5µ.
Rich woods. New England,Frost.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Leominster, Mass.,C.F. Nixon, August, 1897; Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pa., August, 1897,McIlvaine.
Cap2–3 in. broad.Stem2–2½ in. high, but variable in size. Its edible qualities are excellent.
B. lima´tulusFrost—polished.Pileusnearly flat, thin, glabrous,viscid when moist, somewhat polished and shining when dry, rich yellowish-brown.Fleshreddish in the pileus, darker in the stem.Tubesdepressed around the stem, greenish-yellow, their mouths yellowish-brown.Stemsmall, subbulbous, colored like the pileus.Spores12–15×4–5µ.
Pileus1–2.5 in. broad.
Woods. New England,Frost.
By the differently-colored tube mouths, this species approaches those of the next following tribe, but it is placed here because these are not red or reddish.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. au´ripesPk.—yellow-stem.Pileusconvex, subglabrous, yellowish-brown, sometimes cracking in areas when old.Fleshyellow, fadingto whitish with age.Tubesnearly plane, their mouths small, subrotund, at first stuffed, yellow.Stemnearly equal, solid, even or slightly reticulated at the top, bright yellow, a little paler within.Sporesochraceous-brown tinged with green, 12×5µ.
Pileus3–6 in. broad.Stem3–5 in. long, 8–12 lines thick.
Under mountain laurel,Kalmia latifolia. Port Jefferson. July.
The whole plant, except the upper surface of the pileus, is of a beautiful yellow color. The stem is sometimes more highly colored than the tubes. The species is referable to the tribe Edules.Peck, 50th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. August, September, 1898.McIlvaine.
In mixed woods in whichKalmia latifoliais plentiful. The specimens found were in its vicinity. The caps are excellent.
B. leptoceph´alusPk.Gr—thin;Gr—head.Pileusthin, broadly convex or nearly plane, dry, minutely cracked, especially near the margin, light tawny-brown, sometimes tinged with reddish-brown.Fleshyellowish-white, taste at first mild, then slightly acrid.Tubessubventricose, depressed about the stem, nearly free, dingy olive-yellow, the mouths small, subrotund.Stemnearly equal, enlarged at the top, solid, glabrous or slightly pruinose-mealy, reticulated above, colored like the pileus, white within, with a white mycelium at the base.Sporesgreenish-olivaceous, fusiform, 12.5–17.5µ long, 5–6µ broad.
Pileus10–12.5 cm. broad.Stem10–12.5 cm. long, 1.2–1.6 cm. thick.
Dry, open woods. July.Earle.
The reticulation of the upper part of the stem appears to be formed by the decurrent walls of the tubes. The species belongs to the tribe Edules.Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 25.
Edible.
B. fra´gransVitt.—fragrant. Fasciculate or solitary.Pileus1–4 in. across, convex, dark-brown or umber-brown, often wavy, slightly tomentose, margin incurved.Fleshvery thick, yellowish, sometimes unchangeable, at others changing to green or blue, and finally becoming reddish when broken.Tubesshortened around the stem and almost free, ½ in. or more long, openings small, roundish, yellow then greenish.Stemat first stout, ovate, usually tapering at the base, then lengtheningand becoming thinner upward, even, variegated with yellow and red, solid.Sporespale-olive, elongato-fusiform, 10–12×4µ.
In woods, under oaks, etc.Pileusbronze-brown, sometimes with purple shades. Often grows in dense clusters, and in this particular differing from any other British species. Very good for eating.Massee.
Haddonfield, N.J. Oak woods. August to September, 1894. Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1898.McIlvaine.
Solitary. A handsome valuable species which appears to be rare in the United States. Shade a beautiful bronze. Cap 3–4 in. across. A dozen or more individuals were found and eaten. Excellent.
B. frustulo´susPk.—frustulum, a small bit.Pileusthick, convex or nearly plane, subglabrous, cracked in areas, white or whitish.Fleshwhitish.Tubesequal to or a little longer than the thickness of the flesh of the pileus, depressed about the stem, whitish, becoming pale brown.Stemequal, solid, whitish, reticulated above.Spores15–17×5–6µ.
Pileus3–5 in. broad.Stem1–2 in. long, 6–10 lines thick.
Open grounds and clay banks. Ocean Springs, Mississippi and Akron, Alabama. May and June.Underwood.
The deeply cracked surface of the pileus is the most notable feature of this species. This sometimes is seen even in quite young plants. The cracked areas are quite unequal in size. The deep chinks with sloping sides cause them to appear like frusta of polygonal pyramids. In some specimens the reticulations of the stem extend nearly or quite to its base, and make the place of the species ambiguous between the Calopodes and Edules.Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1898, on soil over red conglomerate and on road-sides.McIlvaine.
The deep cracks in the cap readily distinguish this species. After rains the caps are frequently slightly dished and widely cracked at margin. The exposed flesh dries with a fine silky gloss. The caps are excellent. The tubes and stem should be removed.
B. cras´sipesPk.—thick-footed. (PlateCXVI, fig. 5, p. 420.)Pileusconvex or centrally depressed, firm, dry, velvety, brown tinged with yellow, the wavy or lobed involute margin extending beyond the tubes.Fleshlemon-yellow, unchangeable, taste sweet, odor like thatof yeast.Tubesrather short, depressed around the stem, almost free, yellowish mottled with brown, the mouths minute, stuffed when young.Stemstout, thick, sometimes swollen in the middle and sometimes bulbous, beautifully reticulated but the reticulations sometimes disappearing with age, orange-yellow tinged with brown.Fleshof a brighter yellow than that of the pileus.
Pileus5–10 cm. broad.Stem6–8 cm. long, 2.5–3.5 cm. thick.
Oak woods. Mt. Gretna, Pa. August and September.McIlvaine.
The thick, beautifully reticulated stem, the deep velvety brown color of the pileus and the yellow color of the flesh serve to distinguish this species.Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 27, January, 1900.
It is one of the best edible mushrooms. I have also found it in New Jersey.
Stratum of tubes rounded toward the stem and free, their mouths at first closed and red.Pileuscompact, then soft, cushion-shaped, the flesh juicy, changeable.Stemstout, at first short, bulbiform, then elongated and subequal, subreticulated or dotted.
Growing especially in frondose woods. Very poisonous.
In this tribe the tubes and their mouths are differently colored, the latter being red or some shade of red. By this character the species are easily distinguished from those of other tribes.
All authors, up to this date, agree in stating that the species within this series are poisonous. Experiments made by Smiedeberg and Koppe with Boletus Satanus developed symptoms closely resembling poisoning by Amanitæ. Kobert, who made analysis of B. luridus, shows that it contains muscarine, which is one of the most deadly poisons. Such a mass of evidence commands respect. It is urged upon finders of these species to either leave them alone or test them in minute quantities until they have established their ability to eat them without injury.
I have taken special pains to establish the edibility of B. Satanus and B. luridus. For fifteen years I have eaten them in quantity when opportunity afforded, in West Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. My family, and my friends in widely separated localities, have partaken freely of them many times and without discomfort. They are remarkably fine eating. The same can be said of B. alveolatus, B. purpureus, B. subvelutipes. I have not seen the other species of this tribe.
I have determined so many of the reputed poisonous species to be edible, that unless positively authenticated, I do not accept repute as truth, but carefully test suspicious species upon myself. When sure there is no danger, I as carefully have them tested by my numerous under-tasters—male and female.
B. Sa´tanusLenz.—Satanic.Pileusconvex,glabrous, somewhat gluey,brownish-yellow or whitish.Fleshwhitish, becomingreddish or violaceouswhere wounded.Tubesfree, yellow, their mouths bright red becoming orange-colored with age.Stemthick, ovate-ventricose, marked above with red reticulations.Spores12×5µ.
Pileus3–8 in. broad.Stem2–3 in. long.
Woods. Rare. North Carolina,Curtis; New York,Peck; California,H. and M.,N.J. Ellis.
Though mild to the taste, this Boletus is said to be very poisonous, a character suggestive of the specific name. Fries describes the color of the spores as earthy-yellow; Smith as rich brown.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,McIlvaine.
Boletus Satanus is sometimes plentiful in spots. Where it luxuriates it is a rich decoration to the ground, and earth upon upturned-roots upon which it often grows. It does not live long after reaching maturity, but decomposes into a putrescent mass.
Its reputation rivals that of the original possessor of its name. But old proverb sayeth that even “The Devil is not as black as he is painted.” See remarks headingLuridi.
B. alveola´tusB. and C.Pileusconvex, glabrous, shining, bright crimson or maroon-color, sometimes paler and varied with patches of yellow.Fleshfirm, white, changing to blue where wounded.Tubesadnate, subdecurrent, yellow with maroon-colored mouths, the hymenial surfaceuneven with irregular alveolar depressions.Stemveryrough with the margins of rather coarse subreticular depressions, the reticulations bright-red above with yellow stains.Sporesyellowish-brown, 12.5–15×4–5µ.
Pileus3–6 in. broad.Stem3–4 in. long, 9 lines thick.
Damp woods. New England,Frost.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
West Virginia mountains, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, in mixed woods and on banks of streams.McIlvaine.
B. alveolatus appears to be more generally distributed than B. Satanus. It is not as clannish, though occasionally three or four are found growing together. When growing from the banks of creeks, or between the roots of beech and other trees in low places, it is often deformed in cap and stem. The texture is firm, close and the taste is very pleasant. It botanically takes its place in this suspected series. I consider it one of the best Boleti. See remarks headingLuridi.
B. lu´ridusSchaeff.—lurid in color.Pileusconvex, tomentose,brown-olivaceous, thensomewhat viscose, sooty.Fleshyellow, changing to blue where wounded.Tubesfree, yellow, becoming greenish, their mouths round, vermilion,becoming orange.Stemstout, vermilion, somewhat orange at the top,reticulate or punctate.Sporesgreenish-gray, 15×9.
Pileus2–4 in. broad.Stem2–3 in. long.
The lurid Boletus, though pleasant to the taste, is reputed very poisonous.Boletus rubeolariusPers., having a short bulbous scarcely reticulatedstem, is regarded as a variety of this species. The red-stemmed Boletus,B. erythropusPers., is also indicated as a variety of it by Fries. It is smaller than B. luridus, has a brown or reddish-brown pileus and a slender cylindrical stem, not reticulated, but dotted with squamules. It has been reported from California by Harkness and Moore.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Var.erythropusreceived from Dr. J.W. Harshberger, Philadelphia, May, 1896.
Often shining as if varnished and very handsome. I frequently found it in West Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in mixed woods among leaves. Its reputation is bad. It is undoubtedly edible by many, and is delicious. The caution headingLuridishould be carefully observed.
B. purpu´reusFr.—purple.Pileusconvex, opaque, dry,somewhat velvety, purplish-red.Fleshin the young plant only becoming blue, then dark-yellow.Tubesnearly free, yellow or greenish-yellow, their mouths minute,purple-orange, changing to blue where wounded.Stemstout, firm, adorned with purple veins or dots, sometimes reticulated at the apex only, yellow, reddish within, especially at the base.Sporesgreenish-brown, 10–12×5–6µ.
Pileus2–4 in. broad.Stem2–4 in. long, 6–8 lines thick.
Woods. North Carolina,Curtis; New York,Peck; Minnesota,Johnson.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
West Virginia, Mt. Gretna, Pa.,McIlvaine.
At Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1897–1898, B. purpureus was common in oak and chestnut woods. It is a showy species, easily distinguished by its velvety cap. In young specimens the stem is robust, then tapering upward. When old the cap loses its rich color toward the margin, becoming yellowish. The flesh is thick, firm and of excellent flavor. It undoubtedly proved itself delicious and harmless to many eating it.
B. vermiculo´susPk.—wormy.Pileusbroadly convex, thick, firm,dry, glabrous, or very minutely tomentose, brown, yellowish-brown or grayish-brown, sometimes tinged with red.Fleshwhite or whitish, quickly changing to blue where wounded.Tubesplane or slightly convex, nearly free, yellow, their mouths small, round, brownish-orange, becoming darker or blackish with age, changing promptly to bluewhere wounded.Stemsubequal, firm,even, paler than the pileus.Sporesochraceous-brown, 10–12×4–5µ.
Var.Spra´guei. (Boletus Spraguei Frost, Bull. Buff. Soc., p. 102.)Stemyellow above, minutely velvety below.
Pileus3–5 in. broad.Stem2–4 in. long, 4–10 lines thick.
Woods. New York,Peck; Ohio,Morgan; New England,Frost.
The species is separated from B. luridus by its dry pileus, white flesh, even stem, which is neither reticulated nor dotted, and by its smaller spores. I can not distinguish specimens of B. Spraguei received from Mr. Frost, from this species. The name is scarcely appropriate, for specimens are not always infested by larvæ.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
I have not seen this species, therefore, have not tested it. CAUTION.
B. subvelu´tipesPk.—velvety-stem.Pileusconvex, firm, subglabrous, yellowish-brown or reddish-brown.Fleshwhitish, both it and the tubes changing to blue where wounded.Tubesplane or slightly convex, nearly free, yellowish, their mouths small, brownish-red.Stemequal or slightly tapering upward, firm, even, somewhat pruinose above,velvety with a hairy tomentum toward the base, yellow at the top, reddish-brown below, varied with red and yellow within.Spores15–18×5–6µ.
Pileus2–3 in. broad.Stem2–3 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.
Woods. New York,Peck.
This species resembles the preceding one in general appearance, but it is very distinct by its much longer spores and by the velvety hairiness toward the base of the stem.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Boletus subvelutipes is common in some localities in Pennsylvania, especially on the Springton Hills, in chestnut and oak woods. I have frequently eaten it and found it excellent. Others should carefully test it.
B. fir´musFrost—firm.Pileusconvex,very firm, slightly tomentose, gray, often pitted.Fleshyellowish or deep-yellow, changing to blue where wounded.Tubesadnate, deeply arcuate, unequal, yellow, their mouthstinged with red.Stemsolid, hard,very finely reticulated, yellowish, reddish at the base.Spores13×3µ.
Pileus2.5–4 in. broad.Stem2–4 in. long.
Rich moist wood. New England,Frost.
Apparently a well-marked and very distinct species. According to the author, it is readily distinguished by its tenacity and generally distorted growth. I have not seen it nor the next.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Professor Peck’s measurement of spores, 50th Report, New York State Botanist, is 13µ long, 6µ wide.
B. magnis´porusFrost.Pileusconvex, firm, tomentose,golden-yellow; tubesscarcely adnate, even, greenish-yellow, their mouths light cinnabar-red.Stemlong, slender, yellow above, red below.Spores15–18×6µ.
Pileus2.5 to 3.5 in. broad.
Woods and thickets. New England,Frost; Ohio,Morgan.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
I have not recognized it. CAUTION.
B. Fros´tiiRussell.Pileusconvex, polished, shining,blood-red, the margin thin.Fleshscarcely changing to blue.Tubesnearly free, greenish-yellow, becoming yellowish-brown with age, their mouths blood-red or cinnabar.Stemequal or tapering upward, distinctly reticulated, firm, blood-red.Spores12.5–15×5µ.
Pileus3–4 in. broad.Stem2–4 in. long, 3–6 lines thick.
Grassy places under trees or in thin woods. New England,Frost; New York,Peck; New Jersey,Ellis.
This is a highly colored, beautiful Boletus, but it is not common. The stem sometimes fades with age, and both it and the tubes are apt to lose their color in drying.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
I have not recognized it. CAUTION.
B. Sullivan´tiiB. and M.Pileushemispherical, glabrous, reddish-tawny or brown, brownish when dry, cracked in squares.Tubesfree, convex, medium size, angular, longer toward the margin, their mouths reddish.Stemsolid, violaceous at the thickened base, red-reticulated at the apex, expanded into the pileus.Sporespallid ochraceous, oblong-fusiform, 10–20µ long.
Pileus3–4 in. broad.Stem1.5–3 in. long.
Compact soil. Ohio.Sullivant.
The species is said to be intermediate between Boletus scaber and B. edulis.From the former it differs in its reticulated stem, from the latter, in its larger tubes and from both in its stratum of tubes being remote from the stem. I have not seen it.Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. Un´derwoodiiPk.Pileusrather thin, convex, becoming nearly plane, slightly velvety, bright brownish-red, becoming paler with age.Fleshyellow, changing to greenish-blue where wounded.Tubesadnate or slightly decurrent, greenish-yellow, becoming bluish where wounded, their mouths very small, round, cinnabar red, becoming brownish-orange.Stemequal or slightly tapering upward, somewhat irregular, solid, yellow without and within.Spores10–12 x 5µ.
Pileus2–3 in. broad.Stem3–4 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.
Grassy woods. Auburn, Alabama. July.Underwood.
This species is remarkable for its adnate or subdecurrent tubes, in which it departs from the character of the tribe to which it belongs according to the colors of the tubes.Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.