A distinctive black-scaled bolete.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Strobilomyces strobilaceus, also called Strobilomyces floccopus and commonly known as old man of the woods, is a species of fungus in the family Boletaceae.
Source: Wikipedia — Strobilomyces strobilaceus Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Cap covered in dark gray-to-black raised scales over a pale background; pale stem with similar dark scales; gray spongy pore surface beneath cap.
Similar species. Strobilomyces confusus (very similar; range overlap; close relative). Other boletes lack the prominent dark scales.
Voice. N/A
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Mycorrhizal — forms exchange relationships with oak and conifer roots.
Behavior. Distinctive black-scaled bolete of eastern North American forests. Among the most easily identified mushrooms in North America — the dramatic appearance is essentially impossible to confuse with anything else. Edible but with mild flavor; flesh stains pinkish then nearly black when cut. Cap scales are residual veil tissue that gives the species its characteristic shaggy appearance.
§ Range
Eastern North America
§ Habitat
Mature forests
§ Threats
Forest loss.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the old man of the woods is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support mature forest conservation.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Strobilomyces strobilaceus
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Strobilomyces strobilaceus
- iNaturalist · taxon 117985
- IUCN Red List — search for Strobilomyces strobilaceus
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Strobilomyces strobilaceus
§ Sources cited
- North American Mycological Association
- Mycological Society of America
- Northeast Mycological Federation
