Leccinum versipelle
| Leccinum versipelle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Boletales |
| Family: | Boletaceae |
| Genus: | Leccinum |
| Species: | L. versipelle |
| Binomial name | |
| Leccinum versipelle (Fr. & Hök) Snell 1944 | |
Leccinum versipelle, also known as Boletus testaceoscaber or the Orange Birch Bolete, is a common edible mushroom (given the right preparation) in the genus Leccinum. It is found below birches from July through to November, and turns black when cooked.
Description
The cap is broadly convex, bright red-brown or brick red. It is felty and grows up to 20 cm (8 in) in diameter. The flesh is white to pink, turning green-blue when cut, particularly in the stem. The spores are brown. The stem is firm, long and slender, white and covered with small black scales.
Edibility
Leccinum versipelle is midly toxic (causing nausea and vomiting) unless given proper heat treatment: frying or boiling for 15-20 minutes is considered necessary. As mentioned, the mushroom turns black when heated.
References
- E. Garnweidner. Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and Europe. Collins. 1994.
External links
Leccinum versipelle in Index Fungorum.
Leccinum versipelle in MycoBank.