How to identify Rooting Bolete

To correctly identify Rooting Bolete (Caloboletus radicans), 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 is typically 10-25 cm in diameter, convex to flattened, and pale in color, ranging from whitish to pale ochre or tan. The surface is dry and smooth, sometimes becoming cracked in age.

2. 2

   Gills

   Attachment to stem, color, and spacing.

   This mushroom does not have gills. Instead, it has pores. The pores are small and angular, initially yellow, but quickly stain blue when bruised or handled.

3. 3

   Stem

   Length, shape, surface, and any ring.

   The stem is stout and bulbous, typically 5-15 cm long and 2-5 cm thick. It is usually yellowish in the upper part and brownish towards the base. A key feature is the rooting base, which tapers into the ground. The stem surface is often finely reticulated (net-like).

4. 4

   Flesh

   Color, texture, and bruising reaction.

   The flesh is thick and white, staining blue when cut or bruised, particularly in the cap. It has a mild odor and a bitter taste.

5. 5

   Fruiting body

   Overall growth pattern.

   The fruiting body of Caloboletus radicans is large and substantial, typically featuring a broad cap and a thick stem.

6. 6

   Habitat

   Where it grows and on what substrate.

   Caloboletus radicans is found in deciduous woodlands, particularly under oak and beech trees. It is a mycorrhizal fungus, forming a symbiotic relationship with the roots of these trees. It typically fruits in summer and autumn.

Key Facts

Cap surfaces

Dry, Smooth

Growth Form

Mycorrhizal

Spore Print

Olive Brown

Body color

Pale Ochre to Tan

Odor

Mild

Flesh bruises

Blue

Height

5-15 cm

Cap Diameter

10-25 cm

Fruit body characteristics

• Gill attachment: Pores
• Stem shape: Bulbous, Rooting
• Stem surface: Reticulated
• Ring: Absent
• Stem cross-section: Solid

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