How to identify Blue-staining Bolete

To correctly identify Blue-staining Bolete (Boletus pulverulentus), check each of these features in order. Misidentification is the most common cause of mushroom poisoning, so cross-reference multiple sources.

Step-by-step identification

1. 1

   Cap

   Shape, color, surface texture, and diameter.

   The cap of the Blue-staining Bolete is typically 5-15 cm in diameter. It is convex when young and becomes flat or slightly depressed as it matures. The cap is often covered in a thin layer of white powder, which can be easily brushed off. The cap color can vary from brown to reddish-brown.

2. 2

   Gills

   Attachment to stem, color, and spacing.

   The Blue-staining Bolete does not have gills. Instead, it has pores on the underside of the cap. The pores are small and round, and they are white when young and become yellow or olive-brown as they mature.

3. 3

   Stem

   Length, shape, surface, and any ring.

   The stem of the Blue-staining Bolete is typically 5-10 cm long and 2-4 cm thick. It is club-shaped and is often covered in a thin layer of white powder. The stem color can vary from white to yellow to brown.

4. 4

   Flesh

   Color, texture, and bruising reaction.

   The flesh of the Blue-staining Bolete is white when fresh, but it quickly turns blue when cut or bruised. The flesh has a mild, nutty flavor.

5. 5

   Fruiting body

   Overall growth pattern.

   The Blue-staining Bolete is a large, fleshy mushroom with a distinctive blue-staining flesh. It is often found growing in clusters near oak, birch, and pine trees.

6. 6

   Habitat

   Where it grows and on what substrate.

   The Blue-staining Bolete is a common mushroom that is found in a variety of habitats, including deciduous forests, mixed forests, and coniferous forests. It is often found growing near oak, birch, and pine trees.

Key Facts

Cap surfaces

Smooth, often covered in a thin layer of white powder

Growth Form

Solitary or in clusters

Spore Print

Olive-brown

Body color

White, blue when bruised

Odor

Mild, nutty

Flesh bruises

Blue

Height

5-15 cm

Cap Diameter

5-15 cm

Fruit body characteristics

• Gill attachment: None
• Stem shape: Club-shaped
• Stem surface: Smooth
• Ring: None
• Stem cross-section: Solid

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