Spring King (Boletus rex-veris)

Identification marks

A large, robust bolete with a rounded cap that becomes broadly convex to flat with age - often resembling a hamburger bun without the sesame seeds. The cap is typically pinkish brown to reddish brown, often with a fine whitish-silvery bloom when young. Older specimens may become more ochre or orange-brown.

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The pores are small, round to slightly angular. Creamy to yellowish when young, becoming yellow to yellowish-olive with age. They may develop brownish discoloration but do not stain blue.

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The stem is thick and sturdy unless infested with fly larvae, often enlarged or somewhat bulbous, typically with a find net-like reticulation, especially toward the upper portion. It starts whitish and develops tan to pinkish- or reddish-brown tones with age.

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The flesh is thick, firm, white, non-staining, non-descript odor, and a mild to sweet taste.

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​​Habitat: Early season at lower elevations with ponderosa pine, moving to higher elevation true firs (abies) and lodgepole pine. Fruiting in spring to late summer, though I recently observed it fruiting in September!

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Notes: This species was first described from Siskiyou County. Overall, it is considered a safe mushroom for beginners, but one should become familiar with the toxic, red-pored boletes. The Mountain Satan's Bolete (Rubroboletus haematinus) is commonly encountered in the late summer and fall, typically when spring kings are done fruiting, but as mentioned above their season can (rarely) overlap.