Leccinum Gray
Many species are known in Europe, although recent molecular studies have reduced significantly their number. Although the reader will find numerous references bellow, they should always consult the treatment of Den Bakker & Noordeloos (2005), some of its results also partly available online (see Noordeloos, online) in the form of a key, descriptions and photographs. Useful keys (excluding two south European species) are provided also by Kibby (2006) and Knudsen & Vesterholt (2008). Everybody reading those pages have to bear in mind that identification of Leccinum currently relies on both macroscopic and microscopic characters.
Fruitbody boletoid without veil and ring. Stipe solid, covered with numerous squamules. Flesh whitish or yellowish, sometimes spotted blue or greenish in the stipe base, in many species changing dramatically to pinkish, reddish, violaceous grey to black.
Leccinum aurantiacum (Bull.) Gray
I am not providing information for this species, except for some photographs below. Click here to go to Machiel Noordeloos’ page on Leccinum, where detailed description and other information are provided. Note that the current concept of this species includes Leccinum quercinum and L. populinum.
Photographs
Leccinum aurantiacum. Note the dark coloured squamules on the stipe, opposed to the whitish ornamentation in Leccinum albostipitatum. (photo R. Vassilev)
Fruitbodies of Leccinum aurantiacum. Collection under Populus alba (photo B. Assyov)
Fruitbody of Leccinum aurantiacum. Collection under Betula. (photo B. Assyov)
Collections of Leccinum aurantiacum under Quercus usually have deeper cap colour and reddish squamules on the stipe. (photo B. Assyov)
Another collection of what was previously called Leccinum quercinum. Note the unusual colour of the caps. (photo M. Mikšík)
Dull coloured fruitbodies of Leccinum aurantiacum. Collection under Populus tremula. (photo B. Assyov)
Old fruitbody of Leccinum aurantiacum slightly recembling Leccinum scabrum. However note the blackening of the flesh where the fungus have been eaten by snails. (photo R. Vassilev)
Fruitbodies of Leccinum albostipitatum (the two on the left) and L. aurantiacum (right). Note the colours of the stipe. (photo G. Kibby)
The flesh of Leccinum aurantiacum when exposed to air is at first white (right) then quickly changes to pinkish and then darkens to violaceous grey (left). (photo R. Vassilev)
Bulliard's illustration accompanying the original description of Boletus aurantiacus (= Leccinum aurantiacum)
Important literature
Alessio, C.L. 1985. Boletus Dill. ex L. (sensu lato). – In: Fungi Europaei. Vol. 2. Pp. 1–705. Libreria editrice Biella Giovanna, Saronno.
Breitenbach J. & Kränzlin F. 1991. Pilze der Schweiz. Bd. 3(1). Röhrlinge und Blätterpilze. Verlag Mykologia, Luzern.
Den Bakker, H.C. & Noordeloos, M.E. 2005. A revision of European species of Leccinum Gray and notes on extralimital species. – Persoonia 18: 511–587.
Engel, H. 1983. Rauhstielröhrlinge. Die Gattung Leccinum in Europa. Verlag Heinz Engel, Weidhausen b. Coburg.
Estadès, A. & Lannoy, G. 2004. Les bolets européens. – Bulletin Mycologique et Botanique Dauphiné-Savoie 44(3): 3–79.
Galli, R. 1998. I Boleti. Atlante pratico-monographico per la determinazione dei boleti. Edinatura, Milano.
Kibby, G. 2006. Leccinum revisited. A new synoptic key to species. – Field Mycology 7(4): 77–87.
Korhonen, M. 1995. New boletoid fungi in the genus Leccinum from Fennoscandia. – Karstenia 35: 53–66.
Knudsen, H. & Vesterholt, J. [eds.]. 2008. Funga Nordica. Nordsvamp, Kopenhagen.
Lannoy, G. & Estadès, A. 1995. Monographie des Leccinum d’Europe. Fédération Mycologique Dauphiné-Savoie.
Lannoy, G. & Estadès, A. 2001. Les Bolets. Flore mycologique d’Europe. Documents Mycologiques Mémoire Hors série no. 6. Pp. 1–163. Association d’Écologie et de Mycologie, Lille.
Noordeloos, M. (online). The genus Leccinum in Northern and Central Europe. http://www.entoloma.nl/html/leccinum_eng.html
Muñoz, J.A. 2005. Boletus s. l. – In: Fungi Europaei. Vol. 1. Pp. 1–951. Edizioni Candusso, Alassio.
Šutara, J., Mikšík, M. & Janda, V. 2009. Hřibovité houby. Čeled’ Boletaceae a rody Gyrodon, Gyroporus, Boletinus a Suillus. Academia, Praha.