Gomphidius Fr.
The European members of this genus are recognized by their overall appearance, hymenophore of gills, viscid cap surface and the presence of glutinous veil.
Gomphidius maculatus (Scop.) Fr.
Description
Fruitbodies with glutinous veil, its remnants seen as glutinous ring in the upper part of the stipe. Cap up to 10 cm, depressed, often umbonate, rarely flat, flat-convex or convex, ivory, pale brown to almost black, viscid. Stipe mostly cylindrical or sometimes spindle-shaped and usually tapering towards the base, white, whitish or sometimes brownish, spotted reddish brown, blackening, with glutinous ring in the upper part. Flesh white or whitish, blackening when exposed to air. Gills whitish at first, gradually becoming grey to dark grey with age, reddening and then blackening when bruised. Smell not distinctive. Taste not distinctive. Spores 17–23 × 6–8 μm.
Habitat. In coniferous forests and plantations, mycorrhizal with larch (Larix).
Distribution. In Europe widespread in the areas with native larch forests, elsewhere seen under planted larch.
Similarity. Similar and might be confused with Gomphidius glutinosus, but the later has unchanging gills and flesh.
Photographs
I do not have any photographs of Gomphidius maculatus. To see images hosted on other web-sites, follow the links below.
Gomphidius maculatus on Fungi Italiani
Gomphidius maculatus on Pilzfotopage
Gomphidius maculatus on Champignons et Mycologie en Moselle
Important literature
Breitenbach J. & Kränzlin F. 1991. Pilze der Schweiz. Bd. 3(1). Röhrlinge und Blätterpilze. Verlag Mykologia, Luzern.
Bresinsky, A. 1965. Exsikkatenschlüssel für die Gattung Gomphidius in Mitteleuropa (Agaricales). – Mitteilungen der Botanischen Staatssammlung München 5: 125–134. (available online)
Gerhold, H. 1985. The section Larigni of the genus Suillus and the subgenus Laricogomphus of the genus Gomphidius (Basidiomycetes: Boletales). – Berichte des Naturwissenschaftlich Medizinischen Vereins in Innsbruck 72: 53-64. (available online)
Knudsen, H. & Vesterholt, J. [eds.]. 2008. Funga Nordica. Nordsvamp, Kopenhagen.
Pilát, A. & Dermek, A. 1974. Hríbovité huby. Československé hríbovité a sliziakovité huby (Boletaceae – Gomphidiaceae). Veda, Bratislava.
Watling, R. & Hills, A.E. 2005. Boletes and their allies (revised and enlarged edition). – In: Henderson, D.M., Orton, P.D. & Watling, R. [eds]. British Fungus Flora. Agarics and boleti. Vol. 1. Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.