Parasitic Bolete

Habitat

This bolete has a highly specialized habitat, growing exclusively in a symbiotic or parasitic relationship on the fruit bodies of earthballs, specifically Scleroderma citrinum. It can be found solitary or in small clusters on the decaying tissue of its host. The species occurs in diverse forest types, including hardwood, mixed coniferous, and Appalachian forests, often appearing where hemlock is present.

Photos

Appearance

Cap

2 to 6.5 cm wide, starting hemispherical and becoming convex. The surface is dry, finely velvety or downy, and may crack with age. Color ranges from yellowish-brown and ochre to tarnish-brass or olive-brown.

Stem

2 to 7 cm long, often curved around the host fungus and tapering toward the base. Color is similar to the cap, sometimes featuring fine reddish dots, with white mycelium visible at the base.

Tubes

Attached to slightly running down the stem. They begin lemon-yellow and mature to ochre, rust, or reddish-brown.

Pores

Small and round, initially lemon-yellow, aging to a rusty or olive-tinted color; they do not turn blue when bruised.

Flesh

Firm and pale lemon-yellow, typically unchanging when cut, though it may show a rust-colored flush at the base of the stem.

Spore print

Olive-brown to olive-walnut brown.

Fruit body

Found growing directly out of the fruit bodies of earthballs (Scleroderma citrinum), either solitary or in small clusters.

Edibility

Identified by its growth on Scleroderma citrinum earthballs, this species has been reported as edible with caution, though it is often considered flavorless. While the mushroom itself is edible, never consume the host earthball, as it is poisonous. It is largely unmistakable due to its unique habitat, though some specimens in the southern United States have been observed with slimy caps, potentially indicating a different species.

Nutrient Source

It obtains nutrients by parasitizing other fungi, specifically earthballs.

Common Names

Basque

astaputz ontoa, astaputz-onddo

Danish

Snyltende rørhat

Dutch

Kostgangerboleet

English

Parasitic Bolete

French

Bolet parasite

German

Schmarotzerröhrling

Norwegian Bokmål

snylterørsopp

Norwegian Nynorsk

snylterøyrsopp

Spanish

boleto parasitario, Boleto parásito, hongo de Escleroderma, hongo de Scleroderma

Swedish

parasitsopp

Ukrainian

Псевдомоховик паразитний

Welsh

Cap Tyllog Parasitaidd

Synonyms

• Boletus parasiticus
• Boletus parasiticus
• Boletus parasitus
• Ceriomyces parasiticus
• Suillus parasiticus
• Versipellis parasitica
• Xerocomus parasiticus