| Boletus subtomentosus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Boletales |
| Family: | Boletaceae |
| Genus: | Boletus |
| Species: | B. subtomentosus |
| Binomial name | |
| Boletus subtomentosus L. 1753 |
|
| Synonyms | |
| Boletus subtomentosus | |
|---|---|
| Mycological characteristics | |
| pores on hymenium | |
| cap is convex | |
| stipe is bare | |
| spore print is olive-brown | |
| edibility: edible | |
Boletus subtomentosus (Suede Bolete, Boring Brown Bolete or Yellow-cracked Bolete) is a species of edible mushrooms in the family Boletaceae, occurring in forests throughout Eurasia, North America and Australia and forming a mycorrhizal relationship with a wide range of hardwood and conifer trees.
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Boletus subtomentosus was first described in 1753 by the father of taxonomy Carl Linnaeus and still bears its original name. The starting date of fungal taxonomy had been set as January 1, 1821, to coincide with the date of the works of the 'father of mycology', Swedish naturalist Elias Magnus Fries, which meant that the name required sanction by Fries (indicated in the name by a colon) to be considered valid, as Linnaeus' work preceded this date. It was thus written Boletus subtomentosus L.:Fr. However, a 1987 revision of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature set the starting date at May 1, 1753, the date of publication of Linnaeus' seminal work, the Species Plantarum.[1] Hence the name no longer requires the ratification of Fries' authority. Alternate names include Xerocomus subtomentosus (L.) Quél., as Lucien Quélet had classified a number of Boletus species in the genus Xerocomus.
Its specific name subtomentosus is Latin "finely haired", referring to its cap.[2] Mushroom author David Arora nicknamed the mushroom the boring brown bolete from its lack of taste and appeal.[3] Other vernacular names include Yellow-cracked, and suede bolete.[4]
The pale olive or tan cap is initially convex before flattening, and measures 4 to 10 cm (1.6 to 3.9 in) or sometimes up to 18 cm (7.1 in) in diameter with a velvety tan surface. Occasionally the cap slits revealing yellow flesh beneath. The skin of the cap is very hard to remove. The pores underneath the cap are yellow, and bruise blue or green before fading somewhat. The stipe lacks a ring and is up to 8 cm (3.1 in) tall by 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) wide. The spore print is olive-brown. A drop of ammonium hydroxide on the cap instantly produces a mahogany red reaction, which distinguishes it from some other similar species of the genus. The flesh is white and has little taste or smell.[2][3]
Boletus subtomentosus occurs in autumn in forests throughout Eurasia, North America and Australia and forming a mycorrhizal relationship with a wide range of hardwood and conifer trees.[3][2] It is associated with the bilberry.[4]
Boletus subtomentosus is edible, although not highly regarded. Its mild taste makes it suitable for mixed mushroom dishes.[2]