Cap
|
With its smooth bay brown or chestnut
coloured cap, this large bolete is instantly recognisable. When immature,
the caps are downy.
Growing to between 5 and 15 cm in diameter, the caps have firm, pale
flesh that turns slightly blue when cut. |
Tubes and Pores |
At first pale yellow, the tubes terminate in
large angular pores that turn blue-green when bruised. The colour change
is sudden and most marked in mature specimens, and a deep blue stain is
left on the hands. |
Stipe
|
The brown stem is covered in fine cottony threads that give it a
streaky appearance. there is no ring, and the stem is more or less even in
diameter.
Typically 2 to 3 cm in diameter, the stems of this species are usually
slightly curved and vary from 5 to 15 cm in height. The flesh inside the
stem is white or pale lemon and turns slightly blue when it is cut. |
Spore print |
Olivaceous-brown. |
Odour/taste |
Not distinctive. |
Habitat |
In mixed woodland; particularly common under
beech trees. |
Season |
August to November. |
Occurrence |
A fairly common species. |
Similar species |
- Boletus edulis, the Cep or Penny Bun Bolete, sometimes has a
bay brown cap, but the reticulate net pattern on its pale stem helps
to distinguish it from the Bay Bolete, Xerocomus badius.
|
