Chalciporus piperatus

This small bolete can be observed amongst Amanita muscaria, possibly parasitizing the mycorrhizal relationship it has with the host tree.

Fig. 1: C. piperatus growing amongst a lawn of A. mascara var. gueswessii
Fig. 1: C. piperatus growing amongst a lawn of A. mascara var. gueswessii

Chalciporus piperatus (Bull.) Bataille (1908)

  • Phylum: Basidiomycota
  • Class: Agaricomycetes
  • Order: Boletales
  • Family: Boletaceae
  • Genus: Chalciporus
  • Species: piperatus
  • Authority: (Bull.) Bataille (1908)
  • Collection #: PLP847_2018_411
  • Locale: Frye Street, East Lansing, Michigan

This small bolete can be observed amongst Amanita muscaria, possibly parasitizing the mycorrhizal relationship it has with the host tree. It is widely distributed under coniferous trees in North America. The orange-brown cap is 2-7 cm and and stipe is. C.piperatus produces a cinnamon colored spore print and are 7-11 x 3-4 µ. The flesh is yellow with pink tones around the edges.

For those of you who will put any mushroom in your mouth you will soon understand where piperatus comes from, as it is overwhelmingly peppery.  This mushroom has been used as a spice in many countries though many guide books declare it as inedible.

Chalciporus piperatus Figure 2
Fig.2: A fairly large, waterlogged, C. piperatus specimen ~3 inches diameter

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