Aureoboletus projectellus

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***Aureoboletus projectellus*** is a species of bolete fungus in the family Boletaceae. Found in North America, and recently in Europe, it grows in a mycorrhizal association with pine trees.

## Taxonomy

The species was first described by American mycologist William Alphonso Murrill in 1938 as *Ceriomyces projectellus*, from collections made in Lynchburg, Virginia who later transferred it to *Boletus*. Rolf Singer transferred the species to the genus *Boletellus* in 1945. In 2015 Roy Halling transferred to the genus *Aureoboletus* based on DNA evidence.

## Description

The cap is initially convex before flattening out in maturity, and attains a diameter of Template:Convert. The cap surface is dry, initially with a velvety so slightly hairy texture but developing small cracks in age. The color in young specimens is pale to dark cinnamon-brown to dull reddish or dark reddish-brown, sometimes tinged with gray or olive-green, particularly in younger individuals. The flesh is whitish (sometimes with rosy tints), has no distinctive odor, and an acidic taste. Unlike many bolete species, it does not turn blue when cut or injured, but it does slowly turn yellow-brown. The pore surface on the underside of the cap is initially yellow before turning brownish-olive in maturity, and the circular pores are about 0.5–2 mm wide. The tubes comprising the hymenophore are Template:Convert deep. The stem is Template:Convert long by Template:Convert thick, and either equal in width through, or larger at the base. It is solid (i.e., not hollow), dry, and more or less the same color as the cap, or lighter. Its surface has a prominent reticulum (network-like surface), especially on the upper two-thirds; near the base, there is a white tomentum. The base of the stem turns sticky in wet weather.

*Aureoboletus projectellus* produces an olive-brown spore print. The spores are oval to spindle-shaped, smooth, and measure 18–33 by 7.5–12 μm; these are the largest spores of any bolete species in North America. Fruit bodies are edible. They can be used in mushroom dyeing to produce a variety of colors (yellow, brownish orange, dark orange, greenish brown or greenish yellow), depending on the mordant used.

## Habitat and distribution

The fruit bodies of *Aureoboletus projectellus* grow singly, scattered, or in groups on the ground in a mycorrhizal association with pine trees. In North America, its range includes eastern Canada (New Brunswick) south to North Carolina and west to Michigan. It has also been recorded in Mexico. In 2011, it was reported for the first time in Europe, from Lithuania (Curonian Spit); the identification of the species was confirmed by comparing DNA sequences with authentic North American collections. In 2013, it was also reported from Latvia, where it has been declared "fungus of the year 2014".

## References

1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Murrill 1938`
2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Singer 1945`
3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Halling 2015`
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Bessette 2000`
5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Bessette 2001`
6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Snell 1970`
7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Motiejunaite 2011`

## External links

* Template:IndexFungorum
* Fungus of the Year, Latvian Mycological Society

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