Figure 295.—Boletus versipellis. Natural size.
Versipellis is from verto, to change, and pellis, a skin. The pileus is two to six inches in diameter, convex, orange-red, dry, minutely woolly or downy, then scaly or smooth, margin containing fragments of the veil, flesh white or grayish.
The tube-surface is grayish-white, tubes long, free, mouths minute and gray.
The stem is equal or tapering upward; solid, white with scaly wrinkles; three to five inches long; and is frequently covered with small reddish or blackish dots or scales. The spores are oblong spindle-shaped.
This plant can be easily distinguished by the remnant of the veil which adheres to the margin of the cap and is of the same color. It is frequently turned under the margin adhering to the tubes. It is a large and imposing plant found in sandy soil and especially among the pines. I found it in J. Thwing Brooke's woods, Salem, Ohio. August to October.
Boletus gracilis. Pk.
The Slender-Stemmed Boletus. Edible.
Figure 296.—Boletus gracilis. Two-thirds natural size.