''Leccinum atrostipitatum'', also known as the dark-stalked bolete is a species of edible mushroom in the genus ''

Leccinum ''Leccinum'' is a genus of fungi in the family Boletaceae. It was the name given first to a series of fungi within the genus ''Boletus'', then erected as a new genus last century. Their main distinguishing feature is the small, rigid projections ...

''.

Description

''Leccinum atrostipitatum'' caps are 7–20 cm across, convex, dry, minutely hairy to fibril-streaked, and buff to yellow-orange or ochre. Flesh is white, staining grey, then black. Tubes are grey-brown, staining as flesh. Pores are small, round and smokey to blackish-brown. Stalks are up to 20 cm tall by 3.5 cm wide, whitish, and with many raised, black dots. Spore print is yellow-brown to olive. Dark-Stalked Bolete fruits on the ground in mixed woods. ''Leccinum'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...

fungi A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from ...

in the family

Boletaceae The Boletaceae are a family of mushroom-forming fungi, primarily characterised by small pores on the spore-bearing hymenial surface (at the underside of the mushroom), instead of gills as are found in most agarics. Nearly as widely distributed ...

. It was the name given first to a series of fungi within the genus ''

Boletus ''Boletus'' is a genus of mushroom-producing fungi, comprising over 100 species. The genus ''Boletus'' was originally broadly defined and described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, essentially containing all fungi with hymenial pores instead of ...

'', then erected as a new genus last century. Their main distinguishing feature is the small, rigid projections (scabers) that give a rough texture to their stalks. The genus name was coined from the Italian ''Leccino'', for a type of rough-stemmed bolete. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in north

temperate In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (23.5° to 66.5° N/S of Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ranges throughout ...

regions, and contains about 75 species. Leccinum stipe 96426

Ecology and habitat

Leccinum atrostipitatum Dark-Stalked Boletes fruit on the ground in mixed woods. "Leccinum'' species are generally found in the woodlands of

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located entirel ...

Asia Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an are ...

, and North America, forming ecto mycorrhizal associations with trees. Most ''Leccinum'' species are mycorrhizal specialists, associating with trees of a single genus. ''

Leccinum aurantiacum ''Leccinum aurantiacum'' is a species of fungus in the genus ''Leccinum'' found in forests of Eurasia and North America. It has a large, characteristically red-capped fruiting body. In North America, it is sometimes referred to by the common nam ...

'' is an exception, however, occurring in mycorrhizal association with poplar,

birch A birch is a thin-leaved deciduous hardwood tree of the genus ''Betula'' (), in the family Betulaceae, which also includes alders, hazels, and hornbeams. It is closely related to the beech- oak family Fagaceae. The genus ''Betula'' contains ...

, and

oak An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus ''Quercus'' (; Latin "oak tree") of the beech family, Fagaceae. There are approximately 500 extant species of oaks. The common name "oak" also appears in the names of species in related genera, notably ''L ...

Edibility

''Leccinum atrostipitatum'' is a very good edible mushroom, as are ''Leccinum'' species in general for the most part. However, there are reports of gastric upset after consuming unidentified members of the genus in North America, even after thorough cooking. Certain species, such as ''L. insigne'', are suspected (but not confirmed) to cause gastric upset after consumption. Most species of ''Leccinum'' often cause nausea when consumed raw, therefore insufficient cooking or inconsistent heating needs to be acknowledged as a consideration in these cases. The key to safe and successful cooking ''Leccinum'' species like this is preparation. A dry-saute is best. Clean and slice the mushrooms, then put them in a skillet on maximum heat with no butter or oil. sprinkle them with salt (to help draw out the moisture). Stir constantly until they begin to give off liquid, then let them cook in their own juices. After the liquid has evaporated (you can pour off some of it for use as stock), continue to cook them for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly again so they do not stick. Then turn down the heat, add a little olive oil or butter, and cook for another 5–10 minutes. They should be fairly chewy and full of flavor, not slimy, You can eat them as they are or incorporate them into any dish.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q6511506 atrostipitatum Edible fungi