King Bolete

Boletus edulis group

Key characteristics for identifying king boletes include

1) a club-shaped base
2) reticulated stem
3) little to no bruising of cut or damaged tissue
4) light pores yellowing with age
5) cap dry to slightly viscid
6) cap colored light brown to tan
7) mild taste, not bitter or peppery

King boletes do not have

• Sticky, slimy caps like the Jacks – Suillus
• Black crumbs or scabers on the stem – Leccinum
• Red pores – Rubroboletus pucherrimus
• Bitter taste with blue-bruising – Caloboletus
• Peppery taste – Calciporus
• Furry, suede-like cap texture – Admirable bolete
• Bumpy brown to dark purple cap – Zeller’s Bolete
• Bright red stem

When can you find King Boletes (Boletus edulis) around the Pacific Northwest?

A range of Boletus species are collectively known as the kings. These species can be found from May and into the fall.