Boletellus sect. Boletellus

Boletellus ananas and B. emodensis are undoubtedly two of the most widely encountered, known or recognized taxa of the genus; at least the names are the most commonly used in the literature. The type specimen of emodensis was collected in Sikkim, India and the type of ananas was collected in South Carolina, USA. Both possess reddish pigments, squamose-scaly pilei, and a veil that extends from the pileus margin and covers the hymenophore until pileus expansion and maturity. Microscopically, spore morphology is critical; there are fine cross striae on the ribs (costae) visible with the light microscope. In addition, there is a difference in the width of the ribs: broader in B. ananas. Interestingly, these cross striae are not apparent in images seen with the SEM.

Boletellus dissiliens, originally described from Singapore, has a few repent to suberect large squamules with age, but these are rather flattened felt-like patches on the young pileus which is pale pinkish buff or otherwise lacks obvious red or pink pigments. The pileus flesh is yellow and cyanescent. The stipe surface and flesh are white and stain orange to brownish orange within and without. The spores appear to be more similar to emodensis.

Boletellus ananiceps, imperfectly described from Australia, is reported to be very close to ananas, but lacks the cross striae on the spores. Boletellus pallescens, also described from Australia, is a synonym of B. emodensis.

Boletellus rufescens is also imperfectly described from Australia and is reported as having a reddish stipe and cap, fine squamules on the cap, shorter spores than ananas or emodensis, AND lacks the cross-striae.

Compare side-by-side views of spores as seen with the light microscope.

Comparison of Features

Boletellus ananas Boletellus dissiliens Boletellus emodensis

Pileus Coarsely squamose light red to pink, soon fading to tan or pale buff. Tan to pinkish buff (never red), with flattened felt-like patches, sometimes becoming finely to coarsely squamose Finely squamulose deep rhubarb or strawberry red

Flesh White to pale yellow, cyanescent. NOTE: the bluing reaction is very rapid and obscures the true color of the flesh Yellow & cyanescent in pileus; white and rufescent (orange to bownish orange) in and on stipe. NOTE: the bluing reaction is very rapid and obscures the true color of the flesh. Yellow, cyanescent.
NOTE: the bluing reaction is very rapid and obscures the true color of the flesh.

Tubes Yellow to sordid yellow to greenish yellow, cyanescent. Yellow to sordid yellow to greenish yellow, cyanescent; pores dark reddish brown with age. Yellow to sordid yellow to greenish yellow, cyanescent.

Stipe White to pale tan with red or pink ONLY at the apex; white at the bulbous base. White to pale tan, rarely with red or pink and then only at apex; white at the bulbous base. Red to pale red overall, often obscure in old material; white at the bulbous base.

Distribution Eastern North America, Mexico, Central America, Colombia. Malaysia (Singapore) and Queensland, Australia Eastern Asia, Indomalaya, Australia.

Comparison of Features
Boletellus ananas		Boletellus dissiliens	Boletellus emodensis
Pileus	Coarsely squamose light red to pink, soon fading to tan or pale buff.	Tan to pinkish buff (never red), with flattened felt-like patches, sometimes becoming finely to coarsely squamose	Finely squamulose deep rhubarb or strawberry red
Flesh	White to pale yellow, cyanescent. NOTE: the bluing reaction is very rapid and obscures the true color of the flesh	Yellow & cyanescent in pileus; white and rufescent (orange to bownish orange) in and on stipe. NOTE: the bluing reaction is very rapid and obscures the true color of the flesh.	Yellow, cyanescent. NOTE: the bluing reaction is very rapid and obscures the true color of the flesh.
Tubes	Yellow to sordid yellow to greenish yellow, cyanescent.	Yellow to sordid yellow to greenish yellow, cyanescent; pores dark reddish brown with age.	Yellow to sordid yellow to greenish yellow, cyanescent.
Stipe	White to pale tan with red or pink ONLY at the apex; white at the bulbous base.	White to pale tan, rarely with red or pink and then only at apex; white at the bulbous base.	Red to pale red overall, often obscure in old material; white at the bulbous base.
Distribution	Eastern North America, Mexico, Central America, Colombia.	Malaysia (Singapore) and Queensland, Australia	Eastern Asia, Indomalaya, Australia.