Xerocomellus chrysenteron

Appearance

Young specimens of ''X. chrysenteron'' often have a dark, dry surface, and tomentose caps which might easily be mistaken for Bay Boletes ''B. badius''. When fully expanded, caps are 4 to 10 cm in diameter with very little substance and thin flesh that turns a blue color when slightly cut or bruised. Caps mature to convex and plane in old age. Cracks in the mature cap reveal a thin layer of light red flesh below the skin.
The 10 to 15 mm-diameter stems have no ring, are bright yellow and the lower part is covered in coral-red fibrils and has a constant elliptical to fusiform diameter throughout its length of 4 to 8 cm tall. The cream-colored stem flesh turns blue when cut.
''X. chrysenteron'' has large, yellow, angular pores, and produces an olive brown spore print.

Fruit bodies of ''Xerocomellus chrysenteron '' are also prone to infestation by the bolete eater .

Distribution

''Xerocomellus chrysenteron'' grows singly or in small groups in hardwood/conifer woods from early fall to mid-winter. It is mycorrhizal with hardwood trees, often beech on well drained soils. It is frequent in parts of the northern temperate zones. The species hass been recorded in Taiwan. It has been introduced to New Zealand, where it grows in groups under introduced deciduous trees.

This species may not be as common as once thought, having been often mistaken for the recently recognised Simonini, Ladurner & Peintner.

Habitat

''Xerocomellus chrysenteron'' grows singly or in small groups in hardwood/conifer woods from early fall to mid-winter. It is mycorrhizal with hardwood trees, often beech on well drained soils. It is frequent in parts of the northern temperate zones. The species hass been recorded in Taiwan. It has been introduced to New Zealand, where it grows in groups under introduced deciduous trees.

This species may not be as common as once thought, having been often mistaken for the recently recognised Simonini, Ladurner & Peintner.