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Fechtner's boletus (boletus or Fechtner's boletus, lat. - Butyriboletus fechtneri) is an edible mushroom with dense, fleshy pulp. It is found in deciduous and mixed forests of the Caucasus and the Far East. It does not have a strong taste or distinct odor, but is absolutely safe.
Boletuses are one of the most common and frequently occurring mushrooms.
What do Fechtner's boletuses look like?
The mushroom belongs to the tubular group, that is, the reverse side of the cap resembles a finely porous sponge of rich yellow color. In adult specimens, spore spots of an olive or rusty hue are clearly visible. There are no remains of the bedspread.
The diameter of the cap can reach 30 cm
The upper part is smooth, becoming slightly wrinkled over time. At high humidity it becomes covered with a mucous layer.In dry weather it is matte and pleasant to the touch.
The diameter of the cap is from 5 to 16 cm. In young mushrooms it is round in shape. As it grows, it becomes hemispherical, cushion-shaped, then flatter. Color: shiny silver-gray or pale brown.
The length of the spore tubes in Fechtner's boletus is 1.5–2.5 cm
The flesh is white, dense, and quickly turns blue when cut or broken.
The stem is tuberous, barrel-shaped or rounded. Over time, it becomes elongated cylindrical with a slight thickening downwards. It reaches a height of 12–14 cm, in volume – from 4 to 6 cm. It has a pale yellow, gray or slightly brownish color, sometimes acquiring a reticulate pattern. At the base it can have a red-brown, brown, ocher color. When cut, it is white or milky. Sometimes red veins are noticeable.
Where do Fechtner's boletuses grow?
The fungus is not widespread in the Russian Federation. More often found in the Caucasus or Far East. Loves warm, mild climates and frequent precipitation.
Fechtner's boleth prefers the calcareous soil of broad-leaved or mixed forests. It can be found near oaks, lindens or beeches. Large concentrations occur in sunny meadows, forest edges, and near abandoned forest paths.
The chance of finding a mycelium of Fechtner's boletus is higher in old dense forests, which are at least 20 years old
Boletuses grow singly or in groups of 3–5 pieces. Large myceliums are extremely rare.
Is it possible to eat Fechtner's mushrooms?
Fechtner's boletus belongs to the category of edible mushrooms. It is suitable for consumption raw, boiled or fried. Can be added to various dishes, canned (salted, pickled), dried, frozen.
False doubles
Fechtner's disease itself is safe, however, inexperienced mushroom pickers have a high chance of confusing it with one of the conditionally edible and even poisonous species.
Boletus root. Inedible, but not poisonous either. The pulp is very bitter and absolutely unsuitable for cooking. In appearance it is very similar to Fechtner's boletus. It has a similar semi-convex shape, a tuberous stalk, and a yellow spore-bearing layer. You can distinguish them by the color of the cap: it is lighter with a greenish, bluish or gray tint along the edges.
When pressed, a blue spot appears on the cap
Semi-white mushroom (yellow boletus). They belong to the conditionally edible category. It can be consumed boiled, fried, or pickled. The pulp has a distinct odor of iodine, which is dulled by heat treatment. It differs from Fechtner's boletus in its lighter color and the absence of a mesh pattern on the stem.
On the break, the pulp of the yellow boletus does not change color
Gall mushroom. Very similar to Fechtner's boletus, it is poisonous. The hat is smooth, matte, grayish-brown in color. The leg is thick, cylindrical, yellowish-brown in color, but without a characteristic mesh pattern. The tubular layer is white or gray. The taste is bitter and unpleasant.
Even after heat treatment, the pulp remains unbearably bitter
Collection rules
Fechtner's boletus is a protected mushroom and is very rare.You can find it in the summer-autumn period (July–September) in areas with a warm, humid climate.
Use
Fechtner's disease is classified as category III. It does not have a pronounced mushroom taste or aroma, but is quite nutritious. It is often compared to a porcini mushroom.
As a rule, there are no difficulties with cleansing. Fallen leaves do not stick to the smooth cap, and the porous tubular layer is easily washed under running water.
Wormy fungi can cause helminth infection
To prepare pickled Fechtner boletus, any recipe that includes a sufficient amount of aromatic spices is suitable.
In addition to canning, the fruits tolerate freezing or drying well. They can be used raw to make salads.
Conclusion
Fechtner's boletus is a rare protected mushroom with an interesting color. It is edible, but has no distinct taste or aroma. You should not collect it without special need and specifically introduce it into your diet.
