Which type of Bolete is this?

  • This topic is empty.
Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #32392

    Hullo, of all the fungi in our field I am struggling to identify these. I am convinced they are a hitherto undiscovered species and that after this post I will be descended on by a cloud of mycologists (what is the collective noun for mycologists?).

    The cap begins quite grey and turns olive beige over time. The stipe has some red striation but is predominantly pale yellow as are the pores and flesh, although the pores do get darker as the mushroom ages. When peeled the stipe shows heavy red colouring. The flesh turns vivid blue after 15 to 20 seconds but the interesting bit, and one which I cannot find any mention of, is the appearance of small red spots in the flesh when the mushroom is broken. They appear suddenly as pinpricks then enlarge as though bleeding but they do not exude a liquid or grow much larger than you can see in the picture. They are quite beautiful. Btw the pale cap isn’t because of the bolete eater fungus, it looks fuzzy as my camera technique is rather shaky.

    The field is heavy clay, low ph, and has widely spaced oak throughout. These fungi are growing under the sole hornbeam tree in the north end of the field. The field is mown twice a year and was last mown a month ago. We are in East Sussex and have had very heavy rain in the last two weeks but very temperate temperatures (18 -28 degrees celcius).

    I would appreciate any help in identifying these as I cant seem to find them online or find any mention of the bloodspots.

    I have more photos. Is it possible that the red dots are a type of virus or similar? There was one fungi there whose stem was a darker brown and which didnt turn blue as quickly as the others. It did have the red spots however. It is in the pictures below.

    #44886
    adampembs
    Keymaster
      #44887
      adampembs
      Keymaster

        FWIW, red or orange dots also occur in Leccinum cyaneobasileucum and is the only way in the field to distinguish from L.scabrum.

        #44888

        I dont think its the Kluzakii as there is no pink or red colouration apart from the red dots, the caps dont crack as far as i can tell (none of the ones that I have growing here have cracking of that type). The tubes are more yellow than cream but they bruise blue very quickly and stay bruised. the flesh varies from mushroom to mushroom, some bluing very deeply and quickly, others bluing very little. But all have the red blood spots.

        Im doing a spore print today and will let you know colour. When it stops raining Ill get a clearer stipe photo too.

        I will also freeze a portion. Is there anyone that I could send a sample to for analysis?

        Leccinum cyaneobasileucum has the same stipe pattern as the brown birch bolete which is very very common here and I can identify this and its cousins the orange birch and oak boletes fairly confidently, this fungi doesnt have the ‘speckled’ stipe and is not at all similar in mho.

        I have never seen the red spots in the flesh on any other bolete (I use the term loosely as a layman). I cant find any reference to the red spots in the flesh on either of the ones you said to compare to.

        How much variance is there between mushrooms of the same type? Could these just randomly have red dots when others of their type dont?

        #44889
        adampembs
        Keymaster

          https://boletales.com/ is a good reference.

          AFAIK, spore colour is not a factor, but Im might be wrong. I haven’t seen it in any of the keys I’ve looked at.

          For samples, they are best dried. If you slice them thin, you can dry on a radiatior (on a piece of thick paper) – then seal them in a paper envelope.

          There is natural variation and sometimes a young specimen will show differences to an older one. So using a key is best.

          Kibby’s book is a good intro to boletes if they interest you and has a key.

          https://www.summerfieldbooks.com/product/british-boletes-with-key-to-species-7th-ed/

          #44890

          I would have said Caloboletus radicans for this. It is difficult to separate kluzaki and radicans in the field. Usually will need sequencing.

        Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
        • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.