Weeping Bolete - Suillus granulatus
Weeping Bolete - Suillus granulatus
Edible mushroom - novice identification
Other common names: Granulated Bolete, Dotted Stem Bolete, Ringless Slippery Jack, Crying Bolete
Scientific name meaning: Suillus is dervied from the Latin for Swine/Pig. Granulatus, meaning granular, is a reference to the granulation seen at the top of the stem
Spore print: Sienna-brown
Habitat and season
Mycorrhizal with coniferous trees, especially Pine, and fruiting in Summer and Autumn
Growth and appearance
A cap and stem mushroom that can appear as individual specimens or in larger numbers
Cap
Orange to orange-brown in colour, the cap is usually 4 - 10cm wide. It is dome-shaped. Often an umbo (small central bump) is present. It is slimy when wet and sticky when dry
Pores and tubes
The angular pores and tube are pale yellow. Droplets of milky liquid drip from the pores. The liquid dries a slightly darker colour
Stem
The stem is 4 - 8cm tall and 1 - 1.5cm wide. It is very pale yellow, almost white, in colour and can have a slightly swollen base. Near the cap it is granular and exudes a milky liquid from this area. It does not have a ring or skirt
Flesh, taste and smell
The flesh is pale yellow and does not change colour. The smell and taste are pleasant and mild
Possible lookalikes
Could be confused with other Suillus species, such as the Larch Bolete (Suillus gravellei), Slippery Jack (Suillus luteus), or Bovine Bolete (Suillus bovinus). All are edible, however, some can be distinguished by a stem ring, as in the former two, while the milky pore droplets help with identifying the Weeping Bolete
Use as a food Edible when cooked. Best after dehydration
Hazards Has been known to cause stomach upsets in some, so tolerance tests are advised. Also, removal of the slimy cap and tubes is believed to reduce the risk of an unfavourable reaction
Other uses None known
Use in medicine None known - please let us known if you know of any!
If you are suffering from any ailment or need medical advice, please see your General Practitioner
Importance to other species Fed on by slugs and snails, and fly larvae
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!