Species details

Bitter bolete

Tylopilus felleus

Inedible

Description

A bolete lookalike with intensely bitter flesh, pores that become pink, and a darker net on the stem.

Identification features

The pores turn pink and the stem net is often brown. Even a small piece may make a dish extremely bitter.

Identification checklist

The cap is brown; pores start pale and later become pinkish. The stem usually carries a coarse dark-brown net, while the flesh stays pale and normally does not blue.

Detailed features

Cap: Brown and fleshy, initially hemispherical, later convex to cushion-shaped.
Hymenophore: Tubes and pores are initially white and become distinctly pink as spores mature.
Stem: Club-shaped, brownish, with a strong raised brown reticulum.
Flesh: White, sometimes slightly reddening in air; intensely bitter.
Spore print: Pink.

Size

Cap diameter: 5–10 cm
Stem height: 7–14 cm
Stem diameter: 2–4 cm

Habitat

In coniferous and deciduous woodland, often on acidic soil and near stumps.

Fruiting period

June, July, August, September, October

Ecology

Trophic mode: Mycorrhizal
Host trees: Oak (Quercus), Beech (Fagus), Spruce (Picea)

Distribution

Notes: Widespread in Europe in several woodland types.

How to separate similar species

Most often confused with penny bun or summer bolete. Their pores do not become coral-pink and the stem net is usually paler; tasting for identification is not recommended.

Similar species

Interesting facts

Did you know? The pink pore surface of older specimens and the dark reticulum help separate it from true boletes.