Neoboletus praestigiator
Scarletina Bolete
Status:
Common.
Neo- means new or young, Boletus from 'bolos' meaning 'lump of clay'.
Cap:
7-20cm
Stem:
6-20cm
Meaning someone who plays tricks of deceives.
Description
A beautiful species that has undergone a number of scientific name changes in recent years. Boletus erythropus and Neoboletus luridformis are two of the common ones, but these names do not relate to this species. As with many boletes it is important to check the stem flesh when fresh, in this case to make sure there is no red in the flesh near the stem base to elliminate some look-a-likes. This species bruises very easily, and when young and fresh has a very vivid colour, but as it matures the bright red pores and stem can become more muted in colour.
Smell
Not distinctive.
Season
Late Summer to Autumn.
Habitat & Distribution
Most frequently encountered with Beech (Fagus) and Spruce (Picea) trees. Common across most of the UK, more often on more acidic soils.
Edibility
It is an edible species but around 1 in 3 people seem to suffer with a reaction to them (usually digestive discomfort), they turn an unpleasant colour when cooking and can be confused with other species, some poisonous, so for that reason we think they are best left.
Confusion Species
Spores
12-16 x 4-6µm, broadly ellipsoidal to subfusiform.
Spore Print Colour
Olivaceous.
The Lurid Bolete (Suillelus luridus) is similar but has a distinctive red reticulated network around the stem, not the dots that are on the Scarletina Bolete. The Lurid Bolete also prefers more alkaline soils.
The Deceiving Bolete (Suillellus queletii) could be confused for this species but that species a beetroot red colour in the stem flesh near the base, the Scarletina Bolete does not.
Could be confused with other red pored Boletes, but they would generally have a paler cap.