Leccinum brunneum

Edibility Unknown (Thiers)

Excellent, Especially Dried (Wood)

Probably Edible

Leccinum brunneum

Synonyms:

Leccinum brunneum Thiers Mycologia 63: 269. 1971.

Leccinum brunneum is a mushroom commonly found under aspens in California. Scott Bates of the Arizona Mushroom Club has tentatively identified this species found under aspens near the Mogollon Rim in Arizona. As with all members of the genus it is a reasonably safe mushroom to pick because it is easily identified down to genus by the scabers on the stalk. In general, all members of the Leccinum genus are considered edible though they are reported to cause gastric distress in some individuals. Michael Wood describes this species as "an excellent edible (especially dried)" in Fungi of the Sierra Nevada Mountains (scroll down). Thiers lists edibilty for this species as "unknown" in The Boletes of California. I have not observed this species yet in western New Mexico where I regularly hunt for mushrooms.

Contents of Page:

Common Names:

None

Keys:

Keys to members of the Leccinum genus on the web:

Watling, Roy, Leccinum Revisited (including a key to Leccinum in Scotland) (this key does not include Leccinum brunneum)

Field Key to the Boletes of California (this key DOES include Leccinum brunneum)

Descriptions:

English:

The Boletes of California

Photos:

Fungi of the Sierra Nevada Mountains (text in English)

Hunting for Mushrooms (text in English)

The Fungi of California (text in English)

Eating Leccinum:

THE MANDATORY DISCLAIMER

On Mycophagy:

There is a saying in German that translates roughly as "All mushrooms are edible, but some kinds only once." Put another way, there are old mushroom hunters and there are bold mushroom hunters, but there are no old bold mushroom hunters. Be absolutely sure of your identifications before eating wild mushrooms.

All Leccinum are generally considered to be edible and are readily identifiable by the blackish scabers on a white stalk below a brown to orange or brick-red cap containing normal bolete-style tubes (rather than gills). Michael Wood lists this as "an excellent edible (expecially dried)" in Fungi of the Sierra Nevada Mountains (scroll down). However, Thiers lists this species as being of "unknown" edibility in The Boletes of California so considerable caution should be exercised. Some caution should be exercised in eating any Leccinum in that some Leccinum are reported to have caused gastric distress in a few individuals. Consuming only a small quantity until you determine the particular strain of Leccinum will not cause problems for you should avoid any serious problems in this regard. Some persons have blamed undercooking for reactions to members of this genus. As with all wild mushrooms it is unwise to mix species unless you have eaten each of the species being mixed several times without adverse reaction. If you do react adversely to a particular species you will want to know which one so as to be able to avoid it in the future. As with all wild mushrooms, do not eat them unless you are sure of the identification. At a minimum consult two field guides and preferably confirm your identification with a more experienced mushroom hunter. Also as with all wild mushrooms, moderation is the key to enjoyment. Consuming excess quantities of even the best of edible mushrooms is likely to result in a tummy ache. I have not found Leccinum brunneum so I have not yet eaten it. I tried to convince Mr. Bates to sample the one he collected but he indicated it was going to the herbarium instead.

NOTE REGARDING INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE

The preceding information and links are compiled by B.W. Freyburger of Gallup, New Mexico, who regularly collects and dries Leccinum during the late summer and fall in the mountains near there. Please notify him of persistently dead links, additional links regarding this species, or errors in information or links herein through email. This site contains links to other sites which are not authored by or controlled by the webmaster of this site. Unfortunately these sites sometimes diasppear or or are reorganized or moved leaving the link nonfunctional. I try to check for dead links and update or remove them as often as possible. Information, recipes, photographs, illustrations, and other material on these sites is likely subject to copyright protection. Please respect the legal rights of persons creating this material. This site also utilizes some clip art obtained from sources which identified it as public domain or authorized for use on non-commercial sites. If you notice any material on this site which you believe to be used in violation of copyright laws please notify the webmaster immediately. Some clip art appearing here is original. All original material contained on this page not otherwise copyrighted is ©2001 by B.W. Freyburger. All rights reserved.

Page Last Revised: July 21, 2001