Gyroporus borealis and smithii, f/k/a castaneus (“Chestnut Bolete”)

Description

Genus: Gyroporus

Species: borealis (North) or smithii (South)

• Species (Old): castaneus

Common Name: “Chestnut Bolete”

Tells: Stem stuffed with ““cotton” & hollow when old.” Flesh is hard and brittle. Brown cap edges often split & flare w/age.

Other Information: DNA testing tells us the U.S. has two lookalike species, borealis in the north and smithii in the south. The two are indistinguishable for practical purposes, with the northern one usually having bigger pores (when mature) and a slightly redder hue.

Science Notes: DNA evidence has divided the classic European species (G. castaneus) away from its American counterpart, which has itself been divided into versions: G. borealis (which grows in northern regions) and G. smithii (which grows to the south). There is, of course, a massive area of overlap where both species grow.

Edibility: Choice to most, good to the rest.

CHEMICAL TESTS:

• NH4OH (Ammonia): Cap skin turns amber-orange. Cap flesh may turn pale brown, but not reliably.
• KOH: Cap skin may be negative or may turn yellow before fading to white. Cap flesh may turn pale brown, but not reliably.
• FeSO4 (Iron Salts): Cap skin does not react. Cap flesh may turn pale brown, but not reliably.

Links:

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

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