Leccinum
Encyclopedia
Leccinum is a genus
of fungi in the family Boletaceae
. It was the name given first to a series of fungi within the genus Boletus
, then erected as a new genus last century. Their main distinguishing feature is the small, rigid projections (scabers) that give a rough texture to their stalks
. The genus name was coined from the Italian Leccino, for a type of rough-stemmed bolete. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in north temperate
regions, and contains about 75 species.
, Asia
, and North America
, forming ectomycorrhiza
l associations with trees. Most Leccinum species are mycorrhizal specialists, associating with trees of a single genus. Leccinum aurantiacum
is an exception, however, occurring in mycorrhizal association with poplar, birch
, and oak
.
for the most part, but there are reports of poisoning
after eating as yet unidentified members of the genus in North America, even after thorough cooking. The orange- to red-capped species, including L. insigne, are suspected. Species of Leccinum often cause nausea when consumed raw.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of fungi in the family Boletaceae
Boletaceae
Boletaceae are a family of mushrooms, primarily characterized by developing their spores in small pores on the underside of the mushroom, instead of gills, as are found in agarics. Nearly as widely distributed as agarics, they include the Cep or King Bolete , much sought after by mushroom hunters...
. It was the name given first to a series of fungi within the genus Boletus
Boletus
Boletus is a genus of mushroom, comprising over 100 species. The genus Boletus was originally broadly defined and described by Elias Magnus Fries in 1821, essentially containing all fungi with pores...
, then erected as a new genus last century. Their main distinguishing feature is the small, rigid projections (scabers) that give a rough texture to their stalks
Stipe (mycology)
thumb|150px|right|Diagram of a [[basidiomycete]] stipe with an [[annulus |annulus]] and [[volva |volva]]In mycology a stipe refers to the stem or stalk-like feature supporting the cap of a mushroom. Like all tissues of the mushroom other than the hymenium, the stipe is composed of sterile hyphal...
. The genus name was coined from the Italian Leccino, for a type of rough-stemmed bolete. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in north temperate
Temperate
In geography, temperate or tepid latitudes of the globe lie between the tropics and the polar circles. The changes in these regions between summer and winter are generally relatively moderate, rather than extreme hot or cold...
regions, and contains about 75 species.
Ecology and habitat
Leccinum species are generally found in the woodlands of EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, forming ectomycorrhiza
Mycorrhiza
A mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between a fungus and the roots of a vascular plant....
l associations with trees. Most Leccinum species are mycorrhizal specialists, associating with trees of a single genus. Leccinum aurantiacum
Leccinum aurantiacum
Leccinum aurantiacum, is a species of fungus in the genus Leccinum. It is found in forests of Europe, North America and Asia and has a large, characteristically red-capped fruiting body. In North America, it is sometimes referred to by the common name red-capped scaber stalk...
is an exception, however, occurring in mycorrhizal association with poplar, birch
Birch
Birch is a tree or shrub of the genus Betula , in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. The Betula genus contains 30–60 known taxa...
, and oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
.
As food
They have generally been presumed to be edibleEdible mushroom
Edible mushrooms are the fleshy and edible fruiting bodies of several species of fungi. Mushrooms belong to the macrofungi, because their fruiting structures are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. They can appear either below ground or above ground where they may be picked by hand...
for the most part, but there are reports of poisoning
Mushroom poisoning
Mushroom poisoning refers to harmful effects from ingestion of toxic substances present in a mushroom. These symptoms can vary from slight gastrointestinal discomfort to death. The toxins present are secondary metabolites produced in specific biochemical pathways in the fungal cells...
after eating as yet unidentified members of the genus in North America, even after thorough cooking. The orange- to red-capped species, including L. insigne, are suspected. Species of Leccinum often cause nausea when consumed raw.
Species
There are around 75 species including:- L. albellum
- L. atrostipitatum
- L. aurantiacumLeccinum aurantiacumLeccinum aurantiacum, is a species of fungus in the genus Leccinum. It is found in forests of Europe, North America and Asia and has a large, characteristically red-capped fruiting body. In North America, it is sometimes referred to by the common name red-capped scaber stalk...
— Red-capped scaber stalk - L. boreale — Northern roughstem
- L. carpini
- L. corsicum
- L. crocipodium
- L. discolor
- L. duriusculum — Slate bolete
- L. griseumLeccinum griseumLeccinum griseum is a common, edible mushroom in the genus Leccinum. It is found below hornbeam, usually in small groups. Young mushrooms with firm flesh are very palatable.-Description:...
- L. holopus
- L. insigne — Aspen bolete
- L. intusrubens — (Malaysia)
- L. lepidum
- L. manzanitaeLeccinum manzanitaeLeccinum manzanitae is an edible species of fungus in the Boletaceae family of mushrooms. Commonly known as the Manzanita bolete for its association with Manzanita trees, it is recognized by its reddish to brown cap and tough stem with small black scales known as scabers.- Taxonomy :This species...
— Manzanita bolete - L. piceinum
- L. ponderosum
- L. pseudoscabrumLeccinum pseudoscabrumLeccinum pseudoscabrum is an edible species of fungus in the genus Leccinum....
- L. quercinumLeccinum quercinumLeccinum quercinum is a rare, edible mushroom in the genus Leccinum. It is found below oak.-Description:The cap is hemispherical when young, later convex. It is usually greyish brown to orange brown. It can also have orange-red to apricot yellow shades, and grows up to 25 cm in diameter...
- L. roseofractum
- L. scabrum — Birch bolete
- L. variicolor
- L. versipelleLeccinum versipelleLeccinum versipelle, otherwise known as the Orange Birch Bolete is a common, edible mushroom in the genus Leccinum. It is found below birches and turns black when cooked.-Description:...
— Orange birch bolete - L. vulpinum