Edible mushroom - beginner Season - summer to autumn Common names orange birch bolete, dark-stalked bolete
Scientific name meaning: Leccinum comes for the Italian Leccino, which was used to describe rough-stemmed boletes. Versipelle is derived from the Latin Versipellis, meaning that which changes form
Habitat  A mycorrhizal fungus that associates with birch. |
Overall structure and growth  A large, solid mushroom that can appear individually or in groups. |
Cap  The cap can reach between 10 and 20cm. It is orange to orange-brown and can become slightly slimy when it is wet. The edge of the cap slightly overshoots the pores. |
Pores, tubes and spores  The pores and tubes start off white to buff. They have vinaceous bruising when handled or cut. The spore print is ochre to brown. |
Stem  The stem can start off quite rounded and straightens to be more cylindrical as it ages. It can reach up to 20cm in height and 4cm in diameter. White in colour, it is covered in woolly grey-black scales. |
Flesh and smell  The flesh is firm and white and stains vinaceous when cut, eventually turning black. There is often blue staining in the stem base. The smell is pleasant. |
Possible lookalikes  The orange oak bolete bolete (Leccinum aurantiacum), pictured, looks very similar. Despite its common name, it can grow with oak, aspen, willow, beech, poplar and even birch. Its cap is a much deeper red-brown and the woolly scales on the stipe are deep red-brown. The brown birch bolete (Leccinum scabrum) is also similar with a brown cap. However, both are edible. |
Use as a food This is a good edible but must be thoroughly cooked Hazards Must be thoroughly cooked to avoid digestive problems
Use in herbal medicine and medicine None known. If you are suffering from any ailment or need medical advice, please see your General Practitioner Other uses None known at time of writing Importance to other species Food sources of many invertebrates
Always stay safe when foraging. You need to be 100% sure of your identification, 100% sure that your foraged item is edible, and 100% sure that you are not allergic to it (it is good practice to always try a small amount of any new food you are consuming). If in doubt, leave it out!
Comentários