Confused by some Boletes: One, two or perhaps three species in a small area.

Hi, I was doing a foray in a damp habitat covered in litter of Quercus ilex (Holm oak). There was a large population of Boletales. I have isolated four collections although realistically I think there are less different species and possible there are 2 Xerocomellus / Xerocomus. I have previously recorded Xerocomellus redeuilhii from this site.

1

Small to medium-sized fruiting bodies, scent faint and not distinct, taste mucoid and fungoid, bruising of pores becomes slightly darker (= no colour change), bruising of stipe no colour change either when cut context completely yellow even at the base. Stipe bright yellow without reddening at the base including when cut. Some specimens with cracked pileus showed an interesting red reticulate pattern where cracked. No colour change when pores and stipe are bruised

2. This forms a beautiful pin-shaped reddish fruiting body where it remains small and almost spherical. Taste fungoid and very palatable, scent nil, when cut there is darkening at the base which eventually turns in some streaks of greyish-dull blue at the base. No colour change when pores and stipe are bruised

3. The third 'collection' consists of medium-large fruiting bodies, with a pale or light-coloured pileus, tan or peached colour, sometimes forming cracked cuticle with reddish flesh. Stipe red for most of the length (Xerocomellus redeuilhii ?!?)

4. Maybe same as 2 but with flattened pileus

Opinions greatly appreciated. These are all from the same location (100 x 50 m area), calcareous rock or soil in a damp location over leaf litter of Quercus ilex.

Xerocomellus redeuilhii / X. chrysenteron / Hortiboletus rubellus maybe (no.2)

P.s. I can supply micro measurmenets tmrw

Dear Pablo, I also arrived at the conclusion that the partly or mostly red-stiped images with a concave hymenophore refer to Xerocomellus redeuilhii - I never seen as big as these and 75% red stipe, si I was confused! Good to learn more!

Collection 2 I was thinking on the lines of Hortiboletus rubellus but your hint on Hortiboletus engelii is very valid since this is a Quercus specialist! I am clueless on collection 1 but do you think 1 and 2 are the same species ???

I had no time for the micro, which I plan tonight after work or tomorrow.

Quick reply after some further examination. 1 and 2 are different, the pores are different and also 1 has a pleasant aromatic scent, like resin of pine. !!! So I will report on these two Boletes independently shortly.

Some macroscopical data on collection 1

When I sliced in half all my 4 specimens, there was no reddening at any part of the stipe, but there was a layer below the cap's cuticle that became red, like a tent at the top!

I may have missed the scent during collection but after 2 days the basidiocarps produced a rather strong aromatic scent

The taste is palatable and good, like commercial mushrooms.

Pores angular and tubes 0.5-0.7mm wide

Some macroscopical data on collection 2

So for this collection I sliced the stipe in section, spaced 2mm or so to see the colour formation. In two examples there was a dark red colour at the very base (mostly conc. at the perimeter) then gradually becoming 'carrot' dots about one third the length from the base. Further up, the red colour disappeared

After 2 days standing, the pore surface was grayish-white

The pores are very small, round 0.2-0.3 mm, often flattened or even linear up to 1.0 mm long

Ok maybe I start over the post with coll 1 and coll 2 separately. I have dried some specimens soon after collection so they should be safe from moulds.

I have examined the spores and they are different to me - one has 2(3) defined guttalae, the other amorphous contents and so are the sizes (although I am learning that these vary). Regards the mould, I can check the pore edges but there was negligible alien hyphae when the pores were observed under the stereo. Fresh material show a pale spore surface (agreeing not ash whte though).