Tylopilus felleus - Bitter Bolete

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

A pink flush to the pore openings betrays the identity of this inedible Cep look-alike, which is very bitter indeed (and cooking only seems to enhance the bitter taste).

If you gather Boletus edulis orsimilar boletes for eating, it is well worth getting to know how to distinguish the Bitter Bolete from other brown-capped species that have reticulated (netted) stems, as accidentally including this imposter in a meal guarantees that it will be inedible to anyone who still has any taste buds.

Identification Guide

Cap	When young, as in the specimen shown here, the somewhat velvetty cap is domed and mid brown, sometimes with an olive tinge. At maturity, the caps turn a darker brown and may flatten, frequently developing wavy edges. 6 to 12cm in diameter and occasionally as large as 18cm, the caps of Tylopilus felleus lose their velvet bloom as they age.
Tubes and Pores	The pale cream tubes are round, densely packed and fairly small, terminating in palid pores that turn coral pink as the fruiting body matures. When handled and bruised, the delicate pores gradually turn brown.
Stem	A net-like reticulate pattern on the stem sometimes leads to this inedible bolete being mistaken for the choice edible Cep or Penny Bun Bolete (Boletus edulis). The stem of Tylopilus felleus is 10 to 18mm in diameter, thickening towards the base, and 4 to 8cm tall. (It is frequently curved.) The stem flesh is white and does not change colour when it is cut.
Spore print	Clay-pink.
Odour/taste	Odour not distinctive; taste extremely bitter indeed.
Habitat	Usually solitary but occasionally in small groups beneath oak, beech or coniferous trees.
Season	August to November.
Occurrence	An occasional species.
Similar species	Boletus edulis has a similar reticulate stipe but its pores do not flush coral pink.