Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 3–5 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.
Woods. New York, Peck; New England, Frost; Ohio, Morgan.
The slender habit separates this species from all the others here included in this tribe. Its spores are not a clear incarnate in color, but incline to dull-ferruginous, and by this character this and the preceding species connect this tribe with Versipelles. In color B. gracilis resembles some forms of B. felleus, but in size, habit and color of spores it is easily distinct. The tomentum of the pileus sometimes breaks into tufts or squamules. This is Boletus vinaceus, Frost MS. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. gracilis, var. lævipes, was found by the writer in Woodland Cemetery, West Philadelphia, August, 1897, and at Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1898. The stem of some specimens spreads at the top. The pileus is often cracked on the margin, and the upturning of the margin often exposes the tubes. Painting, as of this species, identified by Professor Peck.
The taste is at first sweet, then bitter. The bitterness is lost in cooking. Edible, good.
B. indeci´sus Pk.—undecided. (Plate [CXXII], fig. 1, p. 468.) Pileus convex or nearly plane, dry, slightly tomentose, ochraceous-brown, often wavy or irregular on the margin. Flesh white, unchangeable; taste mild. Tubes nearly plane or convex, adnate, grayish becoming tinged with flesh color when mature, changing to brownish where wounded, their mouths small, subrotund. Stem minutely furfuraceous, straight, or flexuous, reticulated above, pallid without and within. Spores oblong, brownish flesh color, 12.5–15×4µ.
Pileus 3–4 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.
Thin oak woods. New York, Peck.
The mild taste and darker colored spores will separate this Boletus from any form of B. felleus. Its stem reticulated above distinguishes it from B. alutarius. It resembles B. modestus in some respects, but its tubes are not at all yellow. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Kentucky, Lloyd, Rep. 4.