Saffron Bolete

Saffron Bolete Leccinum crocipodium (Letell.) Watling (illustrated 35% life size) Cap 4–11cm across, margin slightly overhanging tubes; cinnamon to fulvous, tinged yellow or olivaceous; downy, soon conspicuously cracked. Stem 60–120×18–24mm; lemon-yellow at apex, covered in yellow scales which become buff to cinnamon and finally mouse-grey, darkening on handling. Flesh pale yellow then rapidly brick-colour, vinaceous, or greyish, finally black throughout; taste and smell not distinctive. Tubes lemon-yellow, becoming flushed ochre or sienna. Pores minute; colouring similar to tubes, bruising darker. Spores 12–17.5×4.5–6¼, elliptical-subfusiform. Spore print ochre with olivaceous flush. Habitat with oak; late summer to early autumn. Occasional. Edible.