White bolete?

itze · #1 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 01:10 PM

I found this fungi today in County Durham. It looks like it should be easy to identify but I have drawn a complete blank. There were around a dozen or so of them - all around 25cm to 35cm in diameter. They have a cracked white cap, yellow pores and a thick scaly stem.

Any help in identifying them appreciated.

Thanks

fairplay · #2 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 01:51 PM

Any chance of cutting one in half and showing us any colour changing in the flesh ?
The nearest look-a-like (colour wise) is Boletus radicans, but habitat is wrong and 'jizz' is all wrong, so can safely be ruled out.
It seems you too are suffering from lack of rainfall, judging by the distorted looks of this fungus.

Did you take any other photos ?
You may have something special here !

Neil.

itze · #3 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 02:11 PM

Here are a couple more photographs.

I did have a look at the flesh and didn't see any change in colour but if I am feeling energetic I might go back up the hill and have a better look.

There hasn't been a drop of rain here for about three weeks.

fairplay · #4 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 03:48 PM

That should help someone else, but I'm none the wiser, so .........

ANDREAS, where are you !!

Neil.

flaxton · #5 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 03:52 PM

The only one I can think of that fits with this at all is as Neil said B radicans but this is always under hardwood and should show at least some signs of bluing

I will think further

Mal

Ps if you do go back make sure you bring a sample back with you

Chris Yeates · #6 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 06:13 PM

the cracking would suggest adverse weather conditions - it would be good to see the 'normal' stem surface of this fungus for example

if it is radicans it could be the most northerly English record (though there are a couple of records from Scotland of course):NBN Gateway: Rooting Bolete (Boletus radicans) grid map

it prefers calcareous soils - though it has been recorded close to Huddersfield, and that is one thing the soils round here ain't

; was it found on the Magnesian Limestone tract which runs through County Durham?

cheers

Chris

fairplay · #7 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 06:36 PM

The other thing that rules out B.radicans to me is the white stem, it would be yellow if it were radicans.

If you go back, try to take a young, middle, and mature (not over-mature) specimens as this is beginning to look very interesting and samples may have to be sent to Kew.

Try contacting your local fungus group too or inform the county fungus recorder whose phone number you could get from the local Wildlife Trust.

When you pull any up from the ground take the soil which comes away with it and gently knock the soil loose whilst trying to avoid bruising the stem too much. The base of the stem could have important identification features, so whatever you do, do not use a knife, except maybe to loosen up the soil before pulling them out.

Neil.

itze · #8 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 08:05 PM

Blimey.

I was in a hurry when I saw them so I just had a quick look and took some photos thinking they would be easy to identify when I got home.

I will go back tomorrow to take some samples and have a better look at them. I'll also measure them (the size was just a guesstimate which I am now starting to second guess - maybe 20cm was more likely)

I am in Weardale which, I think, is limestone but not magnesian limestone.

flaxton · #9 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 09:23 PM

One of the only Boletes to grow in pine woods is Boletus gabretae but even this should show signs of blue (and that has not been found in the UK

). Make sure there are no broadleaved trees in the vacinity.

Mal

itze · #10 (**permalink**) 30-09-2009, 11:02 AM

I have now been back and had a better look at them.

I quickly found 5 that ranged in size between 20cm and 28cm and another half dozen or so that are 12cm to 20cm.

There was one group of three that were within a couple of feet of each other and the rest were all spread around an area about 50m by 50m.

They are in a fairly dense pine plantation and there are no other types of tree within at least 80m in any direction.

I have cut one open and there is a slight blue or purple tinge - but it is not a very dramtic change. I've taken a couple of samples home for a better look. They smell quite nutty and delicious!

There are also some smaller ones which look like they might be part of the same species -

Nearby I also found these which look to me look a bit more like ceps, which makes me wonder if perhaps the other ones could be rather dried, rather pale ceps?