# Scarletina Bolete (*Boletus*)

The Scarletina Bolete has a bright red and yellow color! It grows in forests and is fun to spot.

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Forests
- **Also known as:** Red Bolete, Red-Capped Bolete

![Scarletina Bolete](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425753/objects/5115.jpg)

## Appearance

The Scarletina Bolete has a velvety, brownish-gray to olive cap and vibrant red-orange pores on its underside. Its stout stem is yellow, covered with striking red dots or netting. A distinguishing feature is its flesh, which rapidly stains dark blue when cut or bruised.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Basidiomycota
- **Class:** Agaricomycetes

## Interesting facts

- Instead of gills, this mushroom has tiny tubes under its cap, making it feel like a sponge!
- Its dramatic blue bruising is a rapid chemical reaction, like a magic trick!
- Some boletes are nicknamed 'devil's boletes' because of their fiery red colors.
- This mushroom is perfectly safe to eat, but ONLY after it's been thoroughly cooked!

## Special abilities

- **Rapid Bluing Defense:** Scarletina Bolete can instantly turn dark blue when touched or cut, a chemical reaction that might deter hungry creatures.
- **Tree Friendship:** Scarletina Bolete has a special underground connection with tree roots, sharing nutrients that helps both grow stronger.
- **Spore Cloud Release:** Scarletina Bolete can release millions of microscopic spores into the air, helping it spread and create new mushroom patches.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 5-15 cm
- **Edible:** edible
- **Size:** 5-15 cm
- **Growth Substrate:** soil
- **Season:** Summer to Fall
- **Spore Color:** Olive-brown

## Ecological connections

- **Symbiotic with:** [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) — Forms a mycorrhizal partnership.
- **Symbiotic with:** [European Beech](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-beech) (*Fagus sylvatica*) — Exchanges nutrients with its roots.
- **Eaten by:** [Garden Snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Helix aspersa*) — Snails and slugs sometimes munch on its cap.

## Traits

- [Spore Producing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spore-producing): Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Scarletina Bolete?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Scarletina Bolete?

5-15 cm

### Is Scarletina Bolete edible?

edible

### How big is Scarletina Bolete?

5-15 cm

### Where is Scarletina Bolete usually found?

Forests

### What does Scarletina Bolete grow on?

soil

### When is Scarletina Bolete in season?

Summer to Fall

### What color are Scarletina Bolete spores?

Olive-brown

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*)

---

Source: [Scarletina Bolete: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scarletina-bolete)