Got a photo? Identify mushrooms instantly with the Mushby app
Open the appDescription
Imleria badia, commonly known as the bay bolete, is an edible mushroom belonging to the family Boletaceae. It is found in Europe and North America, where it grows in coniferous or mixed woods. The cap is chestnut-brown in color, and the stem is yellowish-brown.
How to Identify
- Cap
- The cap of Imleria badia is typically chestnut-brown, smooth, and dry. It is convex when young, flattening out with age. The cap diameter ranges from 5 to 15 cm.
- Gills
- Imleria badia does not have gills. Instead, it has pores on the underside of the cap. These pores are small and angular, and they are yellowish when young, turning greenish-yellow with age. When bruised, the pores may turn blue.
- Stem
- The stem of Imleria badia is yellowish-brown, 5–12 cm (2–5 in) long, and 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) thick. It is cylindrical or slightly club-shaped, and it may be smooth or slightly ridged. The stem may have a brownish ring near the top.
- Flesh
- The flesh of Imleria badia is whitish or yellowish. When bruised, it may turn slightly blue.
- Fruiting body
- The fruit body has a chestnut-brown cap that is 5–15 cm (2–6 in) in diameter, convex at first, then flattening out. The cap surface is smooth and dry, and the flesh is whitish or yellowish. When bruised, the flesh may turn slightly blue.
- Habitat
- Imleria badia is found in coniferous or mixed woods in Europe and North America. It typically grows under pine or spruce trees.
Key Facts
- Cap surfaces: Smooth, dry
- Growth Form: Solitary or scattered
- Spore Print: Olive-brown
- Body color: Chestnut-brown
- Odor: Fruity
- Flesh bruises: Slightly blue
- Height: 5-12 cm
- Cap Diameter: 5-15 cm
- Nutrient gathering: Mycorrhizal
Safe
SafeImleria badia is generally considered safe to eat, but it can cause gastrointestinal upset in some individuals. It is important to cook the mushroom thoroughly before eating it.
Quick Check
- Odor: Fruity or slightly acidic
- Fruiting: Late summer to autumn
- Substrate: Soil, under coniferous trees
Where to Find
Europe
Found throughout Europe, particularly in coniferous and mixed woodlands.
North America
Common in North American forests, often associated with pine and spruce trees.
Finding Tips
Look for Coniferous Woods
Search in areas with pine and spruce trees, as the bay bolete forms mycorrhizal associations with these trees.
Check after Rain
Bay boletes often appear after periods of rain, as the moisture promotes their growth.
Similar Species
Bitter bolete
Inedible mushroom
Also known as: Tylopilus felleus
Scientific Classification
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Boletales
- Family
- Boletaceae
- Genus
- Imleria
Storage Information
- Max Temperature: 2
- Freezing duration: 3 months
- Min Temperature: -2
- Refrigeration: 3-4 days
How to Clean
To clean Imleria badia, gently brush off any dirt or debris from the cap and stem. Avoid washing the mushroom unless necessary, as it can become waterlogged. If washing is required, do so quickly and pat dry immediately.
Explore Bay Bolete
Identify mushrooms anywhere
Free on iOS, Android, and Web. Photo identification, full database, and your personal collection.