Leccinum confusion

[waynehicks1]

This was found yesterday amongst silver birch and sweet chestnut. Quite a fresh specimen I believe. I'm having trouble identifying it and would like some help.

My immediate hunch was that this was a pale version of L.scabrum but I've also considered L.holopus as a possibility. Can anyone shed any light on my dilemma?





Many thanks

Wayne

[NickCantle]

Couldn't possibly say what it is but we can definitely say that due to the hues in it, that it isn't L. holopus. L. holopus is very, very pale and almost white.

I'm still after it

[waynehicks1]

Thanks Nick

[NickCantle]

(though wait for Mal as I'm über rusty )

[Ken Burgess]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

we can definitely say that due to the hues in it, that it isn't L. holopus. L. holopus is very, very pale and almost white.

... once upon a time. Unfortunately, the concepts have moved on and L. holopus now includes some brownish capped species such as L. nucatum and L. olivaceosum.

Using Geoffrey Kibby's synoptic key to Leccinum, this specimen works out as CFLM? (where ? is for the cap cuticle structure, which is unknown here). Unfortunately there isn't an option in the key for this combination.

I think microscopy would be required to take things further.

Ken

[waynehicks1]

Thanks ken. We seem to have stumbled upon a repetitive issue with regards to certain combinations in Geoffrey Kibby's bolete key

If I return to the scene of the crime I'll try to collect a sample and dry it for later investigation.

Many thanks

Wayne

[flaxton]

Originally Posted by Ken Burgess

... once upon a time. Unfortunately, the concepts have moved on and L. holopus now includes some brownish capped species such as L. nucatum and L. olivaceosum.

Using Geoffrey Kibby's synoptic key to Leccinum, this specimen works out as CFLM? (where ? is for the cap cuticle structure, which is unknown here). Unfortunately there isn't an option in the key for this combination.

I think microscopy would be required to take things further.

Ken

Another one it could be is L schistophilum. Again a flaw in the current key is that it allows for white squamules with dark brown cap (DFL..)but does not have an equivalent entry if the cap is pale (CFL..)

I have found two almost pure white Leccinum over the last couple of days including this

neither of which turned pink so also came up with AFLM which is not in the Key but I am convinced they are both L holopus.

Mal

[waynehicks1]

Thanks Mal, the mystery deepens...

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

Couldn't possibly say what it is but we can definitely say that due to the hues in it, that it isn't L. holopus. L. holopus is very, very pale and almost white.

I'm still after it

Well, I had a collection confirmed recently as L. halopus and it was far from being white, it was brown, not unlike L. scabrum. The slight stature compared to L. scabrum and the green discolouration in the lower half of the stem when bruised or cut, with slight pinkish tones in the upper half are good characteristics of L. halopus. I think that as your specimen lack any discolouration that it is not L. halopus. Habitat is also of importance. L. halopus is generally found in wettish areas. My recent collection was from the edges of a spagnum bog with seedling birch.

Andy

[Nick_in_Scotland]

I wonder if they may have succumbed to the dreaded Bolete disease, so what you're seeing is white mould rather than the mushroom itself. It just seems to be getting more and more prevalent, up here these days I can't find a cep that hasn't been attacked.