Boletus edulis

Boletus edulis is a basidiomycete fungus, and the type species of the genus Boletus. Widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere across Europe, Asia, and North America, it does not occur naturally in the Southern Hemisphere. The western North American species commonly known as the California king bolete is a large, darker-coloured variant first formally identified in 2007.

About Boletus edulis in brief

Boletus edulis is a basidiomycete fungus, and the type species of the genus Boletus. Widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere across Europe, Asia, and North America, it does not occur naturally in the Southern Hemisphere. The western North American species commonly known as the California king bolete is a large, darker-coloured variant first formally identified in 2007. The fungus grows in deciduous and coniferous forests and tree plantations, forming symbiotic ectomycorrhizal associations with living trees. It is an edible mushroom held in high regard in many cuisines, and is commonly prepared and eaten in soups, pasta, or risotto. Although it is sold commercially, it is very difficult to cultivate. The mushroom is low in fat and digestible carbohydrates, and high in protein, vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre. B.  edulis was first described in 1782 by the French botanist Pierre Bulliard and still bears its original name. The generic name is derived from the Latin term bōtus, which was borrowed in turn from the Ancient Greek bōlōs, which means ‘room’ or’shroom’ The name is a contraction of the Greek word bōlosβΈ, meaning ‘fungus of the earth’ or, in Latin, ‘bōlós’ meaning ‘to grow’ or to ‘to produce’ B. edULis is one of the few fungi sold pickled. It keeps its flavour after drying, and it is then reconstituted and used in cooking.

It has been introduced to southern Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil. Several closely related European mushrooms formerly thought to be varieties have been shown using molecular phylogenetic analysis to be distinct species, and others previously classed as separate species are conspecific with this species. The pore surface is whitish when young, but ages to a greenish-yellow. The stout stipe, or stem, is white or yellowish in colour, up to 25 cm tall and 10 cm thick, and partially covered with a raised network pattern, or reticulations. The name ‘bolete’ derives from the last word, ‘boletus’, meaning’mushroom’ and ‘room’, and is the name given to a group of about 30 related boletes in Rolf Singer’s classification of the Agaricales mushrooms. The bolete mushrooms are all derived from a common ancestor established as an separate order, the Boletales, and established as a separate order in 1997. A 1987 revision of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature set the starting date at May 1, 1753, the date of publication of Linnaeus’ work, the Species Plantarum. Hence, the name no longer requires the ratification of Fries’ authority. It was thus written Bo letus edULis Bull. : Fr.

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