Ruby Bolete - Boletus rubellus

[FungiJohn]

Hi all

I found these at Clumber on a foray with Les and John.

I'm sure now they are the Ruby Bolete - Boletus rubellus.



I thought the new key would be easy

John

[Ken Burgess]

Could also be Boletus pruinatus. You need to cut the stem down the middle and look for the carrot coloured dots in the base of the stem characteristic of Boletus rubellus.

Ken

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by Ken Burgess

Could also be Boletus pruinatus. You need to cut the stem down the middle and look for the carrot coloured dots in the base of the stem characteristic of Boletus rubellus.

Ken

Does Boletus pruinatus have the same iron reaction Ken

John

[mollisia]

Hello,

I also thought immediately when seeing the foto, that at least X. pruinatus should be drawn into consideration. There are still some more red capped Xerocomellus species.
The orange dots in the stem base are significant for X. rubellus and X. engelii (= X. communis ss.auct., = X. quercinus nom.prov.) - when they are there .... Sometimes they are missing, but usually you can see them.
A significant iron reaction in Xerocomellus is unknown to me.
It would be worth microscoping the cuticule structure, as you then can immediately separate X. pruinatus from the other Xerocomellus.

best regards,
Andreas

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by mollisia

Hello,

I also thought immediately when seeing the foto, that at least X. pruinatus should be drawn into consideration. There are still some more red capped Xerocomellus species.
The orange dots in the stem base are significant for X. rubellus and X. engelii (= X. communis ss.auct., = X. quercinus nom.prov.) - when they are there .... Sometimes they are missing, but usually you can see them.
A significant iron reaction in Xerocomellus is unknown to me.
It would be worth microscoping the cuticle structure, as you then can immediately separate X. pruinatus from the other Xerocomellus.

best regards,
Andreas

Hello Andreas

Many thanks and much appreciated.

The dull red colour with ammonia and iron reaction led me to X. rubellus. Orange dots appear absent on the samples I have, so I will look at the cuticule structure as you suggest.

Best Wishes - John

[FungiJohn]

Taking more sections through the stipe base I found this:



Are these the 'distinctive' dots?

Having problems getting a reasonable cuticle slide. Although it's probably me not knowing exactly what to look for

John

[flaxton]

These are the "distinctive dots" you are looking for and they are right in the base rather than in the stipe itself.



Mal

[flaxton]

There is a good description of what you are looking for in Fungi Europaei page 270- showing the swollen end (or last but one)sections of the hyphae.

Mal

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by flaxton

There is a good description of what you are looking for in Fungi Europaei page 270- showing the swollen end (or last but one)sections of the hyphae.

Mal

Thanks Mal. I was just going to ask that. I wasn't sure if it was the cap cuticle or stem cuticle

No spots at the base



John

[FungiJohn]

I'm still having problems seeing the cap cuticle

Help!!!

John