Description:
– Cap is orange-red, 5–15 cm across
– Flesh is white, bruising burgundy to purple-black
– Underside of cap has small, whitish pores bruising olive-brown
– Stem is 8–16 cm tall, 2–3 cm thick, bruises blue-green
– Stem is whitish with short, rigid projections turning brown to black
Distribution and habitat:
– Found in forests in Europe and North America
– Mycorrhizal association with host trees
– Traditionally associated with poplar trees in Europe
– Found among oak, beech, birch, chestnut, willow, and trees of the genus Tilia
– Not associated with conifers in Europe, uncertain in North America
Edibility:
– Favorite for eating, prepared like other edible boletes
– Flesh turns dark on cooking
– Targeted by maggots
– Some consider Leccinum species unsafe due to poisonings and difficulty in identification
– Needs thorough cooking to avoid negative effects
Similar species:
– Several orange-red capped species in Europe with habitat differences
– L. albostipitatum grows with aspen, has white scales on stipe
– L. vulpinum occurs in coniferous forests around pine and spruce trees
– Recognition of distinct species varies among authors
External links:
– Wikimedia Commons has media related to Leccinum aurantiacum
– MushroomExpert.com page on Leccinum aurantiacum
– NatureServe information on Leccinum aurantiacum