Suillus granulatus - Weeping Bolete

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

This bolete appears under various kinds of pine trees but most often with two-needle pines, often in groups. The pores of young specimens release milky droplets. The cap is sticky, especially in wet weather.

Although considered edible, this is not one of the finest of boletes, which is a shame because often it fruits in great numbers. The tube layer of Suillus mushrooms is usually removed and only the firm cap flesh used for cullinary purposes.

Identification Guide

Cap	Cinnamon brown to orange brown the sticky caps grown to between 4 and 10cm in diameter and remain convex. The cap flesh is pale yellow and soft; it does not change colour when the cap is cut.
Tubes and Pores	A characteristic feature of this species is the presence of milky droplets that are exuded by the tiny circular pores. These droplets eventually darken as they dry. The tubes are shallow and lemon yellow, and they terminate in pores of the same colour.
Stem	The stem is very pale straw yellow and has no ring or ring zone. Towards the apex of the stem, the surface is granular (from which feature this species gets its common name); the granules are formed as milky droplets exuded from the stem flesh harden as they dry. Like the cap, when cut the pale yellow stem flesh does no change colour.
Spore print	Ochre or sienna-brown.
Odour/taste	Not distinctive.
Habitat	Beneath coniferous trees, and in particular Scots Pine.
Season	July to November.
Occurrence	Fairly common.
Similar species	Suillus grevillei has a similar cap but there is a distinct ring zone on its stem and its pores are much larger and angular.