Boletus satanas
| Rubroboletus satanas | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Boletales |
| Family: | Boletaceae |
| Genus: | Rubroboletus |
| Species: | R. satanas |
| Binomial name | |
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Rubroboletus satanas (Lenz) Kuan Zhao & Zhu L. Yang (2014) |
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| Synonyms | |
| Rubroboletus satanas | |
|---|---|
| Mycological characteristics | |
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pores on hymenium |
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cap is convex |
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hymenium is adnate |
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stipe is bare |
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spore print is olive |
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ecology is mycorrhizal |
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edibility: poisonous |
Rubroboletus satanas, commonly known as the Satan's bolete is a basidiomycete fungus of the bolete family. It was known scientifically as Boletus satanas until 2014. Found on chalky soil in mixed woodlands in the southern, warmer regions of Europe, it is generally regarded as a poisonous mushroom, with predominantly gastrointestinal symptoms of nausea and violent vomiting occurring if eaten raw or fried. However, reports of poisoning are rare due to its odd appearance and at times putrid smell minimising casual experimentation. There are reports of its traditional consumption in the former Czechoslovakia and Italy after thorough cooking (frying does not remove the toxin).
The squat, brightly coloured fruiting bodies are large and imposing, with a pale dull-coloured velvety cap up to 30 cm (12 in) wide, blood red pores and bulbous red-patterned stalk. The flesh turns blue when cut or bruised. There is a smell of carrion, more noticeable with age. It is the largest bolete growing in Europe.
Long known as Boletus satanas, the Satan's bolete was described by German mycologist Harald Othmar Lenz in 1831, who gave it its sinister name, σατανᾶς satanas 'of Satan', derived from Hebrew via Ancient Greek, after he felt ill from its "emanations" while describing it. He also knew of several reports of diarrhea and sickness from those who had eaten it. American mycologist Harry D. Thiers concluded that material from North America matches the species description, however genetic testing has confirmed that the western North American collections are Rubroboletus eastwoodiae.
Genetic analysis published in 2013 showed that Satan's bolete and many (but not all) red-pored boletes were part of a dupainii clade (named for B. dupainii), well-removed from the core group of Boletus edulis and relatives within the Boletineae. This indicated that it would need placing in a new genus. It was transferred to the new genus Rubroboletus in 2014 along with several other allied reddish colored, blue-staining bolete species. Genetic testing on several species of the genus showed that R. satanas was closely related to R. pulchrotinctus.
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