Gyroporus 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.

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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