Rooting Bolete - Caloboletus radicans

Rooting Bolete - Caloboletus radicans

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Poisonous mushroom - novice/intermediate identification

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Other common names: Whitish Bolete

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Scientific name meaning: Boletus originates from the Greek Bolites, referring to a superior mushroom, while Calo means pretty. Radicans is a Latin word meaning striking root, in reference to the root-like mycelial threads this mushroom often has

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Season - when will I find it? From Summer to Autumn
 

Habitat - where will I find it? Underneath Oak, Beech, Hornbeam, Lime and sometimes Rock Rose

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Description - what does it look like? 

Growth: The Rooting Bolete is mycorrhizal, growing in association with several trees Beech, Oak, Hornbeam, Lime and sometime Rock Rose. It can be found in small groups and individually

Cap: A pale grey-buff colour, the cap reaches between 5 and 20cm. It has a misshapen edge and often cracks from the centre as it ages

Pores: The pore surface and tubes are pale yellow bruising blue quickly when damaged

Flesh: very pale yellow, almost white, turning blue quickly when damaged

Stem: The yellow stem can be straight or swollen and between 7 and 14cm tall, and 3 and 5cm wide. There is a fine reticulum (net-like pattern) over the stem surface and sometimes the base is slightly red in colour at the base. Often tapers at base and with root-like mycelial strands. It has no ring, or skirt

Smell: Unpleasant, slightly astringent

Spore colour: Olive brown

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Possible lookalikes Could be confused with the edible Lurid Bolete (Suillelus luridus), but this has orange flesh at the base of the stem; the potentially deadly poisonous Satan's Bolete (Suillelus satanus), but this has a white cap and red or orange pores, or the inedible Bitter Beech Bolete (Caloboletus calopus), but this has a red stem base

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Poisonous parts All parts of this mushroom are poisonous and cause severe gastric upset

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Use in herbal medicine Has shown some effectiveness against MRSA in lab conditions

If you are suffering from any ailment or need medical advice, please see your General Practitioner

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Hazards This is a poisonous mushroom and should not be consumed

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Importance to other species Slugs and snails often eat these mushrooms

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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!