Suillus luteus
Encyclopedia
Suillus luteus is a basidiomycete fungus, and the type species
of the genus Suillus
. It is a common fungus indigenous to coniferous forests of Eurasia and North America, and introduced
to southern Australia and New Zealand. Commonly referred to as slippery Jack or sticky bun in English-speaking countries, its names refer to the brown cap
, which is characteristically viscid in wet conditions. The fungus fruits abundantly in autumn, and is harvested for food. The slime coating, however, may cause indigestion if not removed.
is brown and up to 12 cm in diameter at maturity. The cap is initially hemispherical, later flattening out. It is slimy to the touch, bare, smooth, and glossy even when dry and the cuticle
is easily peeled off. The tiny, circular pores of the tubes
are at first light yellow but turn olive to dark yellow with maturity. The attachment to the stem is adnate. The stem
attains a height of up to 10 cm and a width 3 cm. It is pale yellow and more or less cylindrical but may bear a swollen base. A white partial veil
extends from the stem to the cap margin in immature specimens. At maturity the veil detaches from the cap and its remnant forms a ring
around the stem. The underside of the ring is characteristically dark brown to violet. This species is one of the few members of the genus Suillus that sport such a ring. The white flesh
of the entire fungus does not discolour when damaged, and it is soft particularly in mature specimens. It is frequently infested with larva
e.
, which is another common mushroom occurring in the same habitat. S. granulatus is yellow-fleshed and exudes latex droplets when young but most conspicuously, it bears neither partial veil nor ring. Other than that, Suillus luteus is unlikely to be confused with other mushrooms, especially if its preferred home under pine trees and the whitish partial veil are taken into consideration.
. It is found in coastal and montane pine forests and exhibits a tolerance of the northern latitudes. It is especially common in pine plantation
s and young pine forests. Suillus luteus forms mycorrhiza
l associations with various species of pine, which include Pinus sylvestris, Pinus nigra, and Pinus peuce in Europe, and Pinus resinosa and Pinus strobus in North America. It does not require a specific soil
but seems to prefer acidic and nutrient-deficient soil. The fungus fruits in spring, summer and fairly prolifically in autumn, following periods of wet weather.
It has also been found under pine trees in introduced pine plantations in Australia
, particularly in the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands
, as well as New Zealand
and Argentinean Patagonia
. There it can be picked around Easter.
. Some authors regard it as an edible mushroom of low quality, while in Russia
, where they are popularly known as maslyata "buttery ones", Slippery Jacks are frequently marinated
and are considered a delicacy; they are also frequently consumed in soups, fried or stewed (from fresh or dried), known for their ability to maintain very light flesh color during cooking, similar to Boletus edulis
, if the skin is peeled beforehand. It is known that this and other Suillus species may cause allergic reactions in some people. The fungus is better cooked before eating, and some authors recommend discarding the glutinous cuticle and tubes before cooking. However, some people may find them excessively slippery. Gastrointestinal symptoms could be due to high levels of arabitol
.
Type species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
of the genus Suillus
Suillus
Suillus is a genus of basidiomycete fungi in the family Suillaceae and order Boletales. Species in the genus are associated with coniferous trees, and are mostly distributed in northern temperate locations, although some species have been introduced to the Southern Hemisphere.-Taxonomy:The genus...
. It is a common fungus indigenous to coniferous forests of Eurasia and North America, and introduced
Introduced species
An introduced species — or neozoon, alien, exotic, non-indigenous, or non-native species, or simply an introduction, is a species living outside its indigenous or native distributional range, and has arrived in an ecosystem or plant community by human activity, either deliberate or accidental...
to southern Australia and New Zealand. Commonly referred to as slippery Jack or sticky bun in English-speaking countries, its names refer to the brown cap
Pileus (mycology)
The pileus is the technical name for the cap, or cap-like part, of a basidiocarp or ascocarp that supports a spore-bearing surface, the hymenium. The hymenium may consist of lamellae, tubes, or teeth, on the underside of the pileus...
, which is characteristically viscid in wet conditions. The fungus fruits abundantly in autumn, and is harvested for food. The slime coating, however, may cause indigestion if not removed.
Description
The capPileus (mycology)
The pileus is the technical name for the cap, or cap-like part, of a basidiocarp or ascocarp that supports a spore-bearing surface, the hymenium. The hymenium may consist of lamellae, tubes, or teeth, on the underside of the pileus...
is brown and up to 12 cm in diameter at maturity. The cap is initially hemispherical, later flattening out. It is slimy to the touch, bare, smooth, and glossy even when dry and the cuticle
Cuticle
A cuticle , or cuticula, is a term used for any of a variety of tough but flexible, non-mineral outer coverings of an organism, or parts of an organism, that provide protection. Various types of "cuticles" are non-homologous; differing in their origin, structure, function, and chemical composition...
is easily peeled off. The tiny, circular pores of the tubes
Hymenium
The hymenium is the tissue layer on the hymenophore of a fungal fruiting body where the cells develop into basidia or asci, which produce spores. In some species all of the cells of the hymenium develop into basidia or asci, while in others some cells develop into sterile cells called cystidia or...
are at first light yellow but turn olive to dark yellow with maturity. The attachment to the stem is adnate. The stem
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...
attains a height of up to 10 cm and a width 3 cm. It is pale yellow and more or less cylindrical but may bear a swollen base. A white partial veil
Partial veil
thumb|150px|right|Developmental stages of [[Agaricus campestris]] showing the role and evolution of a partial veilPartial veil is a mycological term used to describe a temporary structure of tissue found on the fruiting bodies of some basidiomycete fungi, typically agarics...
extends from the stem to the cap margin in immature specimens. At maturity the veil detaches from the cap and its remnant forms a ring
Annulus (mycology)
An annulus is the ring like structure sometimes found on the stipe of some species of mushrooms. The annulus represents the remaining part of the partial veil, after it has ruptured to expose the gills or other spore-producing surface. An annulus may be thick and membranous, or it may be cobweb-like...
around the stem. The underside of the ring is characteristically dark brown to violet. This species is one of the few members of the genus Suillus that sport such a ring. The white flesh
Trama (mycology)
In mycology trama is a term for the inner, fleshy portion of a mushroom's basidiocarp, or fruit body. It is distinct from the outer layer of tissue, known as the pileipellis or cuticle, and from the spore-bearing tissue layer known as the hymenium....
of the entire fungus does not discolour when damaged, and it is soft particularly in mature specimens. It is frequently infested with larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
e.
Similar species
Suillus luteus is often confused with Suillus granulatusSuillus granulatus
Suillus granulatus is a pored mushroom of the genus Suillus in the Suillaceae family. It is similar to the related S. luteus, but can be distinguished by its ringless stalk. Like S. luteus, it is an edible mushroom that often grows in a symbiosis with pine...
, which is another common mushroom occurring in the same habitat. S. granulatus is yellow-fleshed and exudes latex droplets when young but most conspicuously, it bears neither partial veil nor ring. Other than that, Suillus luteus is unlikely to be confused with other mushrooms, especially if its preferred home under pine trees and the whitish partial veil are taken into consideration.
Distribution and habitat
Suillus luteus can be found all over the northern hemisphereNorthern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of its equator—the word hemisphere literally means “half sphere”. It is also that half of the celestial sphere north of the celestial equator...
. It is found in coastal and montane pine forests and exhibits a tolerance of the northern latitudes. It is especially common in pine plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
s and young pine forests. Suillus luteus forms mycorrhiza
Mycorrhiza
A mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between a fungus and the roots of a vascular plant....
l associations with various species of pine, which include Pinus sylvestris, Pinus nigra, and Pinus peuce in Europe, and Pinus resinosa and Pinus strobus in North America. It does not require a specific soil
Soil
Soil is a natural body consisting of layers of mineral constituents of variable thicknesses, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics...
but seems to prefer acidic and nutrient-deficient soil. The fungus fruits in spring, summer and fairly prolifically in autumn, following periods of wet weather.
It has also been found under pine trees in introduced pine plantations in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, particularly in the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands
Southern Highlands, New South Wales
The Southern Highlands, also locally referred to as the Highlands, is a geographical region and district in New South Wales, Australia and is 110 km south-west of Sydney. The entire region is under the local government area of the Wingecarribee Shire...
, as well as New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and Argentinean Patagonia
Patagonia
Patagonia is a region located in Argentina and Chile, integrating the southernmost section of the Andes mountains to the southwest towards the Pacific ocean and from the east of the cordillera to the valleys it follows south through Colorado River towards Carmen de Patagones in the Atlantic Ocean...
. There it can be picked around Easter.
Edibility
Suillus luteus is an edible mushroomEdible 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...
. Some authors regard it as an edible mushroom of low quality, while in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, where they are popularly known as maslyata "buttery ones", Slippery Jacks are frequently marinated
Marination
Marination is the process of soaking foods in a seasoned, often acidic, liquid before cooking. The origins of the word allude to the use of brine in the pickling process, which led to the technique of adding flavor by immersion in liquid...
and are considered a delicacy; they are also frequently consumed in soups, fried or stewed (from fresh or dried), known for their ability to maintain very light flesh color during cooking, similar to Boletus edulis
Boletus edulis
Boletus edulis, commonly known as penny bun, porcino or cep, is a basidiomycete fungus, and the type species of the genus Boletus. Widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere across Europe, Asia, and North America, it does not occur naturally in the Southern Hemisphere, although it has been...
, if the skin is peeled beforehand. It is known that this and other Suillus species may cause allergic reactions in some people. The fungus is better cooked before eating, and some authors recommend discarding the glutinous cuticle and tubes before cooking. However, some people may find them excessively slippery. Gastrointestinal symptoms could be due to high levels of arabitol
Arabitol
Arabitol or arabinitol is a sugar alcohol. It can be formed by the reduction of either arabinose or lyxose. Some organic acid tests check for the presence of D-arabinitol, which may indicate overgrowth of intestinal parasites such as Candida albicans or other yeast/fungus species....
.
External links
- Suillus luteus at MushroomExpert.com
- Suillus luteus at MykoWeb