Orange Birch Bolete

 

One member of the Bolete family which has done particularly well this year is the Orange Birch Bolete (Leccinum versipelle), wherever there's open rough grass and heather edged woodland you'll find dozens fruiting, all shapes and sizes; they're always a prominent autumn mushroom, though this year they're that and some. There are quite a few similar looking mushrooms in the Leccinum family that you'll see out and about, some much rarer than others, but the Orange Birch Bolete is by far the most common. They're listed as edible good; personally I'm not a fan. Firstly, because you have to cook them good and proper (20 minutes) as they're mildly toxic creating common gastro issues associated with fungi; I'm not that hungry. Secondly, they turn black when cooked, and can colour whole meals; again not that hungry.  Looking good out there though.

Hold on they're coming.

The seasons have changed and autumn's here, slowly the reign of the fungi takes hold in the forest. It's still quite dry though, but the mushrooms are beginning to show themselves. Of course there are certain mushrooms the forager particularly looks out for, and of course top of that list are the boletes, and top of the bolete list is the Cep (Boletus edulis). I've not seen any of them yet, though today I did come across a few Orange Birch bolete (Leccinum versipelle), which to me are always a good indication that the Ceps will soon be with us. I say Orange Birch bolete, though there are a few in the Leccinum family that look very similar, all edible, though several not worthwhile. Here's hoping for a good season.