Suillus bovinus - Bovine Bolete

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Suillus bovinus occurs beneath pine trees and is commonly found beside forest paths, in woodland clearings and at the edges of woods. This edible bolete often occurs in large groups. When you find Bovine Boletes under pine trees, look closely and you may also find Gomphidius roseus, the Rosy Spike. This gilled member of the order Boletales forms a three-way relationship involving the Bovine Bolete and the roots of pine trees. (Boletus bovinus is mycorrhizal with pines; the Rosy Spike's role in this relationship is thought to be parasitic.)

Identification Guide

Cap	3 to 10cm across and often irregular and wavy at the margin, the caps of Suillus bovinus vary from pale yellow to deep orange, usually somewhat paler at the margin. Many specimens have clay brown caps, from which characteristic the former common name Jersey Cow Bolete derives. When cut, the white to clay pink flesh of the cap does not change colour.
Tubes and Pores	The tubes terminate in large compound pores (divided into several compartments). The pores are yellow, becoming grey-green and turning darker when bruised. Nearer to the stem the pores are progressively more elongated, and at the point of attachment the tubes are slightly decurrent to the stem.
Stem	Club-shaped in young specimens, the clay-coloured stipe soon becomes more or less parallel sided; it is typically 6 to 10mm in diameter and 5 to 8cm tall. The whitish stem flesh has a pink tinge near the base of the stem.
Spore print	Olive-green or brown.
Odour/taste	Slightly fruity odour and a faintly sweet taste.
Habitat	Beneath Scots Pine and other conifers, often beside woodland walks.
Season	August to November.
Occurrence	Frequent.
Similar species	Suillus granulatus has milky droplets beneath its cap and has simple rather than compound pores.