Species details

White birch bolete

Leccinum holopus

Conditional / expert preparation
White birch bolete – Leccinum holopus

Photo: Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada · CC BY 2.0 · Photo source · License

Description

A small pale Leccinum with a whitish cap and finely scabered stem, typical of boggy birch habitats; on the Slovenian Red List.

Identification features

The cap is 4–7(10) cm, initially white to whitish ochre, later darker and sometimes slightly greenish. Pores are whitish. The stem is slender, white and roughly scabered.

Identification checklist

Check the very pale cap, slender scabered stem, birch association and boggy habitat. Blue-green tones may appear near the base.

Detailed features

Cap
The cap is 4–7(10) cm, initially white to whitish ochre, later darker and sometimes slightly greenish.
Hymenophore
Pores are whitish.
Stem
The stem is slender, white and roughly scabered.

Habitat

Grows in peatlands and boggy upland woodland in association with birch, mainly in autumn; rare.

Fruiting period

September, October, November

Ecology

Host trees
Birch (Betula)
Soil
Moist
Notes
Grows in peatlands and boggy upland woodland in association with birch, mainly in autumn; rare.

How to separate similar species

Leccinum scabrum is usually larger and also grows in less boggy birch habitats. Tree association is very important in Leccinum.

Similar species

Conservation

Red list
R – rare species
Notes
On the Slovenian Red List: R – rare species.

Extended-description sources