Xerocomus rubellus

Foto © Marco Floriani - Pergine Valsugana (TN), 1998

Xerocomus rubellus

Quél.

Xerocomus rubellus (or Boletus rubellus) is surely one of the most misapplied names among the boletes. This binomial has been applied to virtually every red-capped xerocomoid bolete, and this has led to a considerable confusion. Several Xerocomus specialists, however, have come to an agreement on a rather wide concept for this species, which includes also brownish forms like the one illustrated here, which correspond to X. quercinus Engel & Brückner ad interim. Such brownish forms are hard to distinguish from X. chrysenteron, for example, and observation of the microscopical characters of the pileipellis and of the spores is mandatory until one has gathered a considerable experience with these boletes. X. rubellus is an edible but poor mushroom, as for the most part of the genus Xerocomus. (m.f.)