Scarletina Bolete / Lurid Bolete

Physical Characteristics

Cap: Up to 20 cm in diameter, convex to broadly convex, dry, velvety or finely tomentose, dark brown, reddish-brown, or olive-brown. Pores: Red, orange, or reddish-orange, often bruising blue instantly. Stem: Robust, cylindrical or club-shaped, often reticulate (net-like pattern) with reddish or orange coloration, yellow near the apex, bruising blue on handling. Flesh: Yellowish, quickly staining blue when cut or bruised, especially in the cap and upper stem. Spore Print: Olive-brown.

Habitat & Growing Conditions

Found on the ground in deciduous and coniferous forests, often associated with oaks, beeches, and spruces. Prefers acidic to neutral soils.

Season & Fruiting Time

Summer to autumn, typically from July through October.

Similar Looking Species

Rubroboletus satanas (Satan's Bolete) has a paler cap (whitish to grayish) and may have a more pronounced reticulation on the stem. Imperator torosus (Donkey Bolete) has a more yellow to orange cap and a less strongly red stem base. It's crucial to identify boletes with red pores carefully due to potential look-alikes.

Ecological Role

Mycorrhizal, forming symbiotic relationships with various deciduous and coniferous trees, particularly oaks, beeches, and spruces. This relationship benefits both the fungus and the tree, with the fungus helping the tree absorb nutrients and water, and the tree providing carbohydrates to the fungus.

Identified on: 7/24/2025

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