Strobilomyces strobilaceus.
Two-thirds natural size.
Hymenophore even. Tubes not easily separable from it, large, equal. Pileus and stem distinctly rough-scaled, the flesh tough. Syl. Fung., Vol. VI, p. 49.
I have given Professor Saccardo’s emended diagnosis of this genus, because it expresses what appears to me to be the most important generic character, that is, tubes not easily separable from the hymenophore. By this character and by the tough substance the transition between Boletus and Polyporus is made.
| Tubes nearly equal in length | S. strobilaceus |
| Tubes shortened around the stem | S. floccopus |
| Peck, Boleti of the U.S. |
S. strobila´ceus Berk. Gr—cone-like. (Plate [CXXIV].) Pileus hemispherical or convex, dry, covered with thick floccose projecting blackish or blackish-brown scales, the margin somewhat appendiculate with scales and fragments of the veil. Flesh whitish, changing to reddish and then to blackish where wounded. Tubes adnate, whitish, becoming brown or blackish with age; their mouths large, angular, changing color like the flesh. Stem equal or tapering upward, sulcate at the top, floccose-tomentose, colored like the pileus. Spores subglobose, rough, blackish-brown, 10–12.5µ.
Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 3–5 in. long, 4–10 lines thick. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
West Virginia mountains, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine; Indiana, H.I. Miller.
Common in woods and their margins, under the overhanging sods of washes and road-cuts. Often in troops, occasionally cespitose. The rough fuzzy cap reminds of short fur that has been wet and dried. Its appearance is unique among Boleti. Before cooking the stem and tubes should be removed, unless the latter are very firm and fresh. The squamules must be cut away or the dish will be rough.
With many this Boletus is a prime favorite. It has a strong woody taste, sometimes musky, sometimes faintly of anisette. It cooks well by any method.
S. floc´copus Vahl.—floccose-stemmed. Pileus convex, soft, covered with areas of bunched rough, scaly tomentum, cinereous, at length blackish, appendiculate with the silky, thick annular veil. Tubes shortened behind, their mouths large, whitish-gray. Stem stout, pitted above, umber-tomentose below. Spores perfectly globose, brown, 9µ broad.