Michael Davis
Mushrooms are the reproductive bodies of fungi, and they produce and drop millions of spores, which are dispersed by wind currents. Spores are comparable to seeds, and they fuse together to grow into new mycelium, which is the actual organism from which mushrooms are created. The structures of a typical gilled mushroom consist of a cap, gills, and a stalk. However, some mushrooms have pores instead of gills. These mushrooms are called boletes, and they are characterised by small pores on the spore-bearing hymenial surface, which is located on the underside of the mushroom. While many boletes are edible, some are toxic and may cause gastrointestinal poisoning if consumed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushrooms with porous undersides | Belong to the bolete family |
| Bolete family | A family of mushroom-forming fungi |
| Bolete mushrooms | Reasonably safe for human consumption |
| Poisonous bolete mushrooms | Bitter bolete, Caloboletus calopus, Tylopilus felleus |
| Identifying poisonous mushrooms | Red anywhere on the mushroom, including the cap, stem or pores |
| Flesh that immediately or rapidly stains blue | |
| Edible bolete mushrooms | King bolete, Boletus edulis, B. aereus, B. reticulatus, B. pinophilus |
| Cracked Cap Boletus, Red-cracked Boletus(Boletus chrysenteron) | |
| Chanterelles (Cantharellaceae) |
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What You'll Learn
Boletus mushrooms have pores, not gills
The Boletaceae family of mushroom-forming fungi is characterised by small pores on the spore-bearing hymenial surface (the underside of the mushroom), instead of gills. This feature distinguishes them from most agarics. The Boletaceae family is commonly known as boletes.
While most mushrooms with porous, spongy undersides are in the bolete family, some are not. Boletus mushrooms are a type of bolete, but not all boletes are Boletus mushrooms. For example, the Leccinum and Suillus genuses are boletes but not Boletus mushrooms. Boletus mushrooms are also known as ceps or king boletes.
Boletes are reasonably safe for human consumption. While some are toxic and may cause gastrointestinal poisoning if consumed, none are known to be deadly to adults. Boletes are one of the safest groups of mushrooms for eating, and edible bolete species are especially suitable for novice collectors. This is because they are unlikely to be confused with deadly poisonous mushrooms, such as Amanita species, which bear gills instead of pores.
To determine the edibility of a bolete, it is important to look out for certain characteristics. Generally, if there is no red on the mushroom and the flesh does not turn blue when cut, it is edible. However, some boletes with red pores are edible, such as Boletus frostii, and some boletes with flesh that does not turn blue are toxic. For example, the bitter bolete has pink pores and a brownish stipe, while the cep has whitish pores that become yellowish with maturity.
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Some mushrooms with pores are toxic
Mushrooms with pores are known as boletes, and they are characterised by small pores on the spore-bearing hymenial surface (underside of the mushroom) instead of gills. While most boletes are edible and some are considered culinary delicacies, some are toxic and may cause gastrointestinal poisoning if consumed.
There are a few rules to identify whether a bolete is toxic. Firstly, if there is any red on the mushroom, including the stem, pores, or cap, it is best to avoid it as this can be a sign of a toxic bolete. The bitter bolete, for example, has pink pores and a brownish stipe. Secondly, if the flesh bruises blue quickly or has red or dark pore surfaces, it is generally not safe for consumption. The Satans Bolete, for instance, is considered the most poisonous bolete in the UK and has red or dark pore surfaces. Lastly, some boletes are bitter to taste and should be avoided. The bitter bolete, again, is aptly named as it has a taste comparable to bile.
It is important to note that there are no hard and fast rules for identifying toxic mushrooms, and the only way to be certain is to accurately identify the individual mushroom. Mushroom foragers are advised to consult multiple guides and pictures for identification as mushrooms can vary in appearance due to their growing environment, age, and weather conditions.
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Mushrooms with red pores are toxic
Mushrooms are classified based on their physical characteristics, such as their colour, shape, and structure. One such classification is based on whether the mushroom has pores or gills on its underside. While most mushrooms with porous, spongy undersides are in the bolete family, some are not.
The Boletaceae family is primarily characterised by small pores on the spore-bearing hymenial surface (underside of the mushroom), instead of gills. A large number of boletes are edible, and some are considered true culinary delicacies, such as the king bolete. However, some boletes are toxic and may cause gastrointestinal poisoning if consumed.
When identifying mushrooms, it is important to remember that some poisonous mushrooms can kill. Therefore, it is crucial to be able to accurately identify the fungus and be 100% sure of what it is before consuming it. One rule of thumb for identifying toxic mushrooms is to check for any red colouration on the cap, stem, or pores. If any part of the mushroom is red, it is best to treat it as poisonous. Additionally, if the mushroom's flesh quickly bruises blue or has red or dark pore surfaces, it is generally considered unsafe for consumption.
Mushrooms with red pores, such as those in the bolete family (specifically, the bitter bolete, Tylopilus felleus), are considered toxic and should be avoided. The bitter bolete has pink pores and a brownish stipe with a dark brown reticulum. Another toxic mushroom with red pores is the Amanita muscaria, which has a bright red cap and is poisonous to humans when consumed in large quantities. Ingesting this mushroom can cause symptoms such as dizziness, disorientation, convulsions, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and profuse sweating. Therefore, it is important to accurately identify mushrooms and be cautious of those with red pores, as they are often indicative of toxicity.
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Mushrooms with blue bruising are toxic
Mushrooms are classified based on the presence of pores on their underside. The Boletaceae family of mushrooms is characterised by small pores on the spore-bearing surface underneath the cap, instead of gills. These are commonly known as boletes. While most boletes are edible, some are toxic and may cause gastrointestinal poisoning if consumed.
When identifying mushrooms, it is important to examine certain features, such as bruising or bleeding when they are cut or handled. Some mushrooms will change colour when damaged or injured. For example, saffron milky caps bruise green, while certain bolete mushrooms turn blue when sliced in half.
It is important to note that not all blue-bruising mushrooms are toxic. While some mushrooms with blue bruising are indeed poisonous, others are safe to consume. For instance, the highly toxic B. satanas has been reported to cause potential lethality, while the edible Bicolor bolete also exhibits blue bruising.
Magic mushrooms or Psilocybe, which produce the psychotropic compounds psilocybin and psilocin, are well-known for developing blue bruises. The blue colour is a result of oxidised gyrocyanin or pulvinic acid in Boletales mushrooms, while the specific cause in Psilocybe mushrooms is still a subject of research.
In summary, while mushrooms with blue bruising may indicate toxicity in certain species, it is not a definitive rule. Proper identification of mushrooms is crucial before consumption to ensure safety.
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How to identify edible mushrooms
While foraging for mushrooms may be an exciting prospect, it is imperative that you do not ingest any mushroom that you are not 100% certain is edible. Even experts find it challenging to identify edible mushrooms, and there are very few people with the expertise to do so accurately. Most mushrooms are non-poisonous, but of the poisonous species, some can be deadly. Therefore, it is best to leave the identification of wild edible mushrooms to professional mycologists (scientists who study fungi).
If you still want to learn how to identify edible mushrooms, there are several precautions you can take and signs you can look out for. Firstly, it is recommended to consult a knowledgeable expert to identify any mushrooms you are unsure about. You can connect with a mushroom expert through a local mycological group, at a local university, or even online forums and Facebook groups. These online communities are frequented by very active and knowledgeable mycology professionals who can provide quick and accurate information.
Secondly, it is important to purchase a mushroom field guide specific to your region, as the edibility of a mushroom can vary depending on the area. Familiarize yourself with the common edible and poisonous varieties in your region, and take the field guide with you when you go out foraging to practice identifying different mushrooms. Additionally, consider enrolling in mycology classes at your local university or joining a guided foray or identification class offered by a local foraging guide.
When identifying edible mushrooms, there are some general rules to keep in mind. Edible mushrooms typically have brown or tan gills, while mushrooms with white gills are often deadly. Choose mushrooms with tan, brown, or white caps and stems rather than red. Edible mushrooms usually do not have scales on the cap or a ring around the stem. Avoid mushrooms with red or dark pore surfaces, and those whose flesh bruises blue quickly. If the pores are not orange or red, you can taste the cap for bitterness, but do not eat any part of the mushroom unless you are absolutely certain of its edibility.
Remember, there is no single, obvious trait that will indicate whether a mushroom is poisonous or not. Even similar-looking mushrooms can have varying levels of toxicity. Therefore, always exercise caution, and when in doubt, leave the mushroom alone and find an alternative food source.
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Frequently asked questions
No, not all mushrooms are porous. Some mushrooms have gills, which are thin, papery structures that hang vertically under the cap.
Mushrooms with pores are called boletes or boletus. They are characterised by small pores on the spore-bearing hymenial surface (underside of the mushroom) instead of gills.
No, some boletes are toxic and may cause gastrointestinal poisoning if consumed. However, they are unlikely to be confused with edible species. A rule of thumb is to avoid boletes with red or dark pore surfaces.
Boletes are characterised by their sponge-like pores and generally stout stems. They have fleshy caps and a central stalk, with the reproductive parts underneath the cap made of tubes.
It is important to identify the individual mushroom and be 100% sure of what it is before consuming it. Some poisonous mushrooms can be lethal. A general rule of thumb is to avoid boletes with red or dark pore surfaces. You can also perform a taste test by breaking off a tiny piece of the cap and putting it in your mouth.
