Boletus sensibilis: The Curry Bolete Identification, Look Alikes & Toxicity

Boletus sensibilis is one of the many possibly poisonous boletes that can be found across North America. These poisonous species are orange or red on the underside of the cap and stain blue when bruised or cut.

It was for this particularly marked and profound bluing reaction that the notable American mycologist Charles Peck termed this particular Bolate species “sensibilis” or sensitive in 1880. Peck also noted that the stem of this particular species is “lemon yellow” which can oftentimes be stained pink or red. And it is these two characteristics, the profound bluing reaction and a monochromatic yellow stem that may be pink/red-stained, that have been used by mycophiles as defining features for the identification of Boletus sensibilis.[i]

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Identification and Description[ii]

Although the marked bluing reaction and a lemon yellow stem, along with a curry-like scent, are said to be the “main” features by which B. sensibilis can be identified and differentiated, this is misleading, as much variability exists among individual specimens. Boletus sensibilis does not have to smell like curry, bruise extensively, or have only a yellow stem. As such it is important to pay attention to all of its morphological features to correctly identify this poisonous species and not get it mixed up with its harmless cousins like Boletus bicolor.

Cap: The cap is 5 to 12 cm in diameter. While young it is convex, becoming broadly convex as it matures. The surface is dry and finely velvety when young but soon becomes bald. In color the cap is most commonly dirty pinkish red to darker orangish-red, fading to reddish cinnamon. Most importantly, the flesh of B. sensibilis bruises blues rapidly and strongly upon damage.
Flesh: The flesh of this species is yellow in both the cap and stem. The flesh extensively bruises dark blue when damaged or handled. Furthermore, dried specimens of B. sensibilis flesh when rehydrated in alcohol and water bruise dark blue all over again, so much so that they blue the rehydration solution as well.
Pore surface: The pore surface of this species is yellow at first, becoming dingy orangish-brownish, with olive hints at maturity. There are approximately 2 to 3 angular, 10 to 15 mm deep pore tubes per 1 mm at maturity. The pore surface, like the cap, brushes dark blue instantly when damaged.
Stem: The stem is 5 to 13 cm long ad 2 to 2.5 cm thick. It is club-shaped and smooth. The color of the stem is characteristically lemon yellow, developing a pinkie or reddish streak. Ad areas over the bottom half. The stem, like the cap and pore surface, rapidly bruises dark blue when handled or damaged.
Spores: The spores are 10-15 by 4-5 micrometers in size. They are subfusiform and smooth. When tested with Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) they turn yellow or golden.
Spore print: Boletus sensibilis has a grayish olive spore print.
Odor: This species may have a curry-like smell. The curry-like smell may be more prominent with dried specimens. However, it is worth noting that not all specimens will have this odor.
Edibility and Taste: This species is generally considered poisonous and non-edible by most credible mycological literature. Yet, there are those mycologists and mycophiles who report consumption of these mushrooms safely. The ultimate decision on the edibility rests with the individual, but as always it is best to err on the side of caution.
Habitat and Range: This species can be found growing scattered or gregariously among roots of oak and beech trees during summer and fall. B. Sensibilis can be found all over the continental United States.

Look-A-Likes

The most important differentiation that has to be made is between poisonous Bolete species such as Boletus sensibilis and edible Boletes or Boletus edulis, often known as porcini mushrooms. Although, it is uncommon to readily confuse edible porcini mushrooms with the poisonous Boletes care should be taken.[iii]

Second differentiation that has to be made between Boletus sensibilis and the species of Boletus bicolor and Boletus pseudosensibilis, which represent edible Boletes that can also demonstrate a “bluing” reaction and also smell like curry. As such, the confusion between these three species is quite widespread. To alleviate this confusion below is a chart offering a comparison between these frequently confused Boletes.[iv]

Boletus sensibilis vs Boletus bicolor vs Boletus pseudosensibilis

Feature                                   B. sensibilisB. bicolor  B. Pseudosensibilis
Cap colorOrangish red or pinking redBright red to brick redReddish brown sometimes red
Stem coloryellow, red or pinking at baseRed, except at apexYellow, turning red at base half
Mature pore surfaceOrange-brownOlive yellowOlive yellow
Tube depthNormalShallowShallow
Spore 10-15 x 4-5 µm9-11 x 3.5-5 µm10-15 x 4-5 µm
Cap surface bruisingIntense, consistentlyAlmost neverUncommon, when bruising does occur its grey
Flesh bruisingIntense, consistentlyFaint to moderate, inconsistentFaint when young, moderate when mature
Stem surface bruisingIntense, consistentlyAbsent to moderate, inconsistentModerate, consistent
    

As it can be seen it can be quite easy to confuse these three species with each other, especially when you factor in the variability that is present even amongst their purportedly “defining” features. Thus, its is best advice to avoid eating a Bolete you find in the woods unless you’ve done exhaustive research and are sure of its true identity.

Toxicity and Safety

The species of Boletus sensibilis is considered poisonous by most mycological texts. However, this “toxicity” is not experienced by all, meaning some are able to consume this mushroom without experiencing any adverse effects whereas in others it causes severe gastrointestinal upset with nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and exhaustion. As such, it is best to consider this species poisonous and avoid its consumption.

References:

[i]       Kuo, M. (2015, January). Boletus sensibilis.

[ii]      Kuo, M. (2015, January). Boletus sensibilis.

[iii]      Hall, I. R. (2003). Edible and poisonous mushrooms of the world. Crop & Food Research.

[iv]      Kuo, M. (2015). Three often-confused boletes.

My name is Austin Collins.

I've dedicated my life to Mushrooms.

I believe Mushrooms are the best kept secret when it comes to health and well being.

For that reason, I would like to share a company with you that in my opinion makes the best mushroom products on the market. 

The company is called Noomadic Herbals, my favorite supplement they make is called "Mushroom Total".

I take their products every day and they have helped me think better and have more energy. Give them a try.

-Austin

2 thoughts on “Boletus sensibilis: The Curry Bolete Identification, Look Alikes & Toxicity”

  1. I’ve consumed over 100 species of mushrooms. While I have been poisoned by B. luridis, I found that thorough drying and cooking rendered them safe to eat and tasty. I have eaten B. sensibilis on many occasions after taking the same precautions and enjoy the meaty flavor, more intense than the similar B. bicolor, which I also like to eat.. Not sure about smelling like curry though. Of course, other people may be sensitive to sensibilis, and caution is indeed warranted.

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