ECTOMYCORRHIZAL FUNGI WITH EDIBLE FRUITING BODIES - 2 - BOLETUS-EDULIS

Boletus edulis sensu lato (penny bun mushroom, cep, cepe de Bordeaux, porcino, Steinpilz) is a complex of at least five species (or sub-spec ies) of mycorrhizal fungi which grow primarily with hosts in Fagaceae, Pinaceae, and Betulaceae. They occur in a wide variety of habitats th roughout the Northern Hemisphere and have been accidentally introduced into South Africa and New Zealand. The fruiting bodies have a very st rong flavor and are widely used both commercially and domestically, pa rticularly in Europe and North America. The vegetation, climate, and s oils where B. edulis grows and methods that have been used in unsucces sful attempts to cultivate it are described.