Scarletina bolete

About

Neoboletus luridiformis grows in deciduous and coniferous forests in summer and autumn, often in the same places as the porcini mushroom. In Ukraine, it is known from the Carpathians, Forest-Steppe, and steppe zone.

The cap is large, up to 20 cm, initially hemispherical, later cushion-shaped, dark chestnut or chocolate brown, initially velvety. The tubes are yellow-green, and the pores are small, orange-red, rusting with age; they instantly turn blue or black upon contact. The stem is thick, yellow, densely covered with small red speckles, but without a net. The flesh is yellow and turns dark blue within seconds when cut. This reaction frightens beginners, although it does not indicate toxicity by itself.

The mushroom is conditionally edible. Raw or undercooked, it causes vomiting and diarrhea, so it is consumed only after thorough heat treatment; it is not suitable for drying. Ukrainian guides recommend preliminary boiling with mandatory draining of the broth. Some people tolerate it poorly even after cooking. It is noted that poisoning is exacerbated if the mushroom is combined with alcohol.

Among lookalikes, there is the inedible bolete with very bitter flesh and the poisonous Satan's bolete — a mushroom with an almost white cap and a net on the stem. Therefore, red-pored boletes are mushrooms for experienced foragers, not for first-time outings.

Where in the Carpathians

The map shows where naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records), not every place it lives. The Ukrainian Carpathians are less studied, so a blank area does not mean the species is absent.

Countries

Poland · Slovakia · Ukraine · Romania · Czechia

Mountain ranges

Gorce, Żywiec Beskids, Gorgany, Low Beskids

Altitude belts

Foothills (below 600 m) · Beech forests (600–1200 m)

When to see it

From naturalists’ observations in the Carpathians (iNaturalist, research grade): the darker the cell, the more often the species is seen that month.

Safety

Only after thorough cooking: raw and undercooked mushrooms cause poisoning. Do not combine with alcohol. Do not dry. Mushroom dishes should not be given to children under 12 years. In case of suspected poisoning, call 103 (or 112).

Look-alikes — how to tell them apart

Protection and rules

Not protected.

FAQ