Aureoboletus betula (“Shaggy Stalked Bolete”)

Description

Name in North American Boletes: Austroboletus betula

Genus: Aureoboletus

• Genus 2: Boletellus
• Genus 3: Austroboletus
• Genus 4: Heimioporus

Species: betula

Common Name: “Shaggy Stalked Bolete”

Tells: Cap ranges from yellow to very red. Long, shaggy, oft-curved stem. Flesh green-yellow or orange-yellow. Very deep pores. Tart flavor.

Other information: A very distinctive mushroom that is particularly common in the southern Appalachians. The cap flesh is soft, but the stems stay crispy.

Science Notes: Genetic tests have moved this mushroom through multiple genera. Initially it went from Boletus into Austroboletus, en route to Boletellus. Then it got moved to Heimioporus. Then it got moved back to Boletellus. Then into the newly erected Aureoboletus, where it seems to have settled… for now.

Edibility: Excellent. The stems are said to be especially good.

CHEMICAL TESTS:

• NH4OH (Ammonia): No data.
• KOH: No data.
• FeSO4 (Iron Salts): No data.

Links:

• Mushroom Expert
• Mushroom Observer
• Wikipedia
• Google Image Search

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