The spring king bolete is a popular edible mushroom in the Pacific Northwest and is relatively easy to identify based on a handful of characteristics. Boletes are a commonly foraged mushroom in Oregon and Washington due to their large size and superior flavor.
Spring Kings or Boletus rex-veris are one of multiple species in the Boletus genus. Other species in this genus share many similar traits and are also edible.
Spring kings are found most often in open forests in the eastern Cascades and into the Rockies. Try to get to them before the bugs do. A good way to identify these bolete mushrooms is to look for pale-colored pores, reticulations, mild flavor with the chew-and-spit test, and no blue bruising.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”17679,17681″ show_title_and_caption=”off” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_gallery][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]Cap
Rounded. Pink to reddish-brown. Sometimes cracking after dry period.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”17680,17683″ show_title_and_caption=”off” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_gallery][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]Pores
Creamy-white when young turning yellow with age. Not bruising blue
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”17682,17684″ show_title_and_caption=”off” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_gallery][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]Stem
Often club-shaped or widening towards base. Reticulated or netted texture on the surface of the stem, most prominently towards the top. Reticulations may be subtle. Stem otherwise smooth without veil remnants, hairy, or otherwise distinctly textured. Colors range from pale, to pinkish or rust towards top. No blue bruising when handling or cutting the tissue.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Spring King Season
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://salishmushrooms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Boletus-rex-veris-seasonality-1024×130.png” title_text=”Boletus rex-veris seasonality” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Tips for finding spring king boletes
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://salishmushrooms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/boletus-rex-veris-mushrooms-300×300.png” title_text=”Boletus rex veris mushrooms” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Try walking along roads
Spring king boletes can be found growing along the edges of dirt and gravel roads. The benefit of these roads is that they are easier to walk along, and much easier to spot mushrooms. You can always pop into a section of forest where conditions look good.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://salishmushrooms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/boletus-rex-veris-pair-300×300.png” title_text=”Boletus rex-veris pair” _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Be prepared
Mosquitoes, rain, and chilly weather might force you to end your day early. Consider packing bug spray, loose layers, rain gear, or a bug net.
Check out some of the items I consider packing here.
Remember that you might not have mobile service in these areas so have a map and know how to use it. I like maps.me, Google Maps cached on my phone, and GaiaGPS. If your mobile device is your primary map, be sure to put your device in airplane or power-saving mode to conserve battery. I also bring a separate power bank for longer trips.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://salishmushrooms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/mosquitoes-240×300.png” title_text=”mosquitoes” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Where to go
Generally speaking, in open coniferous forests in the central and eastern parts of Cascadia. Spring kings are rarely found in western Washington, Oregon, and BC
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://salishmushrooms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/boletus-rex-veris-habitat-298×300.png” title_text=”Boletus rex-veris habitat” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Check for bugs
Spring kings are loved by insect larva so look for tiny tunnels running throught the stem or cap. These small worms are harmless but I prefer to leave infested mushrooms in the forest. You might be able to predict the level of infestation just by looking at the mushroom. If it’s rather large or the pores appear eaten, the mushroom itself is likely infested.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://salishmushrooms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Beoletus-rex-veris-buggy-300×300.png” title_text=”Beoletus rex-veris buggy” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjE0MzkwIn19@” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]