About Boletus patrioticus T.J.Baroni, Bessette & Roody
Morphology: The cap measures 3 to 13 cm in diameter. It is initially convex, and matures to become broadly convex or flat. The cap surface is dry, covered with fine small hairs, and is olive-colored when young, changing to pinkish to dark red as it ages. The thick flesh is pale yellowish to pinkish red, and turns blue when bruised. The pores are pale yellow in young specimens, maturing to olive yellow, and also turn blue when bruised. The stipe is 2.5 to 10 cm long and 1 to 2 cm thick. It is dry, solid, with rosy red coloration on its upper portion and olive coloration on the lower portion. The spore print is olive brown. The spores are subfusiform, smooth, deep golden brown, and measure 10-13 x 4-5.5 μm.
Habitat and distribution: Boletus patrioticus forms mycorrhizal associations with hardwood trees, particularly oak and hickory. It fruits in grassy areas, growing singly or scattered, during summer and fall. Its distribution ranges from North Carolina to Florida in the southeastern United States, extending west to Ohio and Texas.
