Cap
|
This is a very large mushroom, and caps mature
at between 8 and 20 cm diameter.
A distinguishing feature of this bolete is the fact that the cuticle
overhangs the cap margin slightly.
Beneath the cuticle, the flesh of the cap is firm and white; it does
not change colour when a cut surface is exposed to air. |
Tubes and Pores
|
The mouse-grey tubes terminate in small pores
that turn ochraceous with age.
Visible in this picture is another distinguishing feature of this
bolete: the cuticle often has a ragged edge. |
Stipe
|
The stipe, which can be up to 20 cm tall and is typically 2 to 4 cm in
diameter, tapering in slightly towards the apex, has a pale grey surface
covered with dark brown woolly scales.
When cut, the pale stem flesh turns blue-green and then almost black,
especially near the base. |
Spore print |
Ochraceous-brown. |
Odour/taste |
Not distinctive. |
Habitat |
Beneath birch on heathland and scrub. |
Season |
July to September. |
Occurrence |
Fairly common. |
Similar species |
- Leccinum scabrum, which also occurs under birch, has a brown
cap; its stem flesh does not display a marked colour change when it is
cut.
|
