not alder tongue! and boletus.

[diggleken]

Hi , this was on Alder whilst rooting about for alder tongue - any ideas out there what it may be? It was the only one.

And apart from larch and brown birch, I dont see many boletes usually, but another one today, so grateful for help.
Under Beech, but in mixed wood with odd pinus too, fairly acidic soil I guess, as just off the moor.
Just a little blueing of the yellow pores when pressed, but stem still red throughout when cut - also showed clear reddening to cap where damaged - I have this as Red Cracked, Xerocomus chrysenteron, hopefully!

Cheers
Ken

[fairplay]

Hi Ken,

I'm not too sure what has happened to the Alder cone, but I would even rule out an aborted Alder tongue.

The Bolete ticks all the boxes (for me anyway) as being B.cisalpinus which we are told is more common than Red Cracked Bolete.

Neil.

[flaxton]

The description of X cisalpinus in Geoffrey Kibby's book says "flesh of the stipe and cap flushes slowly deep blue throughout often with deep purplish red stains at the base" found under oak -
X chrysenteron "flushing deep red below the cortex of the stipe with hardly any blueing" and "not found under oak"

X chrysenteron.

Mal

[Chris Yeates]

Alnus cone looks like feeding damage to me . . . .

Chris

[FungiJohn]

Sorry Ken, I didn't have it in me to suggest it wasn't Taphrina alni, having loads locally

I agree also with Xerocomus chrysenteron

John

[diggleken]

Thanks everybody, X chrysenteron it is - it ticked all those descriptive boxes in my books too, ta.
The Alder cone - Chris may well be right - I just wanted to make sure it wasnt something I dont know about (you know what I mean!).
I'll keep an eye out for Alder tongue John, never been seen by me yet.............
Cheers
Ken

[poschiavanus]

I was holding my fire, but agree with Chris, that is most likely feeding damage on the Alder Cone. I have a feeling I've seen this myself.

I couldn't find if there were any weevils or leaf beetles which feed in Alder cones, but apparently the bug Pantilius tunicatus does feed on male catkins. Given that there are several insects which feed in Birch catkins it's not beyond the realms of possibility. Of course the damage could be caused by birds. Either way I presume the damage has led to the end of the cone dying off.

[fairplay]

Or young squirrel even as they are similar in shape to an acorn or green hazel nut.

Neil.

[diggleken]

I still have it to observe and the attack seems to be spreading in the cone - sort of a white growth (hyphae?) with red edges.
I'l keep watching.............
Cheers
Ken