Larch Bolete

Suillus grevillei

The Larch Bolete is a mushroom that grows under larch trees. It has a unique shape and is fun to find in the forest!

Habitat: Larch forests

Appearance

The Larch Bolete has a shiny, often very slimy cap that ranges from golden yellow to orangey-brown, sometimes reddish. Its underside is covered with small, angular yellow pores instead of gills. The stem is yellowish and often features a distinct ring.

KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderBoletalesFamilySuillaceaeGenusSuillus

Larch Bolete

Interesting facts

Instead of gills, it has a spongy yellow underside filled with tiny tubes!

Its shiny cap sometimes looks like it's been painted with a clear varnish!

Older Larch Boletes can turn reddish-brown when handled or bruised!

Tiny insect larvae often tunnel through its soft flesh for a tasty treat!

Special abilities

Larch Bolete can absorb nutrients from soil and share them with larch tree roots, helping the trees grow stronger.

Larch Bolete has a slimy cap that helps it stay moist and protects it from drying out in sunny weather.

Larch Bolete can release millions of tiny, dust-like spores from its pores that are carried by wind to new locations.

Measurements & details

Height: 5-12 cm
Edibility: edible
Cap Diameter: 5-15 cm
Growth Substrate: soil
Season: Summer to late autumn
Spore Color: Olive-brown to rusty-brown

Ecological connections

symbiotic with

European Larch

Larix decidua

Forms a crucial underground partnership for nutrient exchange.

symbiotic with

Tamarack Larch

Larix laricina

Essential mycorrhizal partner in boggy North American habitats.

eats

Black Slug

Arion ater

Slugs enjoy munching on its moist, fleshy cap and stem.

eats

Eurasian Red Squirrel

Sciurus vulgaris

Squirrels sometimes forage for and consume this mushroom.

Traits

Deciduous

Discover the magic of plants that shed all their leaves during a particular season, often putting on a spectacular show of fall colors first. They get ready for a fresh start!

Spore Producing

Discover how some plants and fungi create tiny little "seeds" called spores to help them grow new life! These tiny particles drift in the air, spreading new generations far and wide.

Edible

Find plants that are safe and delicious to eat, offering tasty treats and nourishment from nature's pantry. Always check with an adult before tasting!