Boletus pink-purple (Imperator rhodopurpureus)
Systematics:- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Agaricomycetidae (Agaricomycetes)
- Order: Boletales
- Family: Boletaceae
- Genus: Imperator
- Species: Imperator rhodopurpureus (Boletus pink-purple)
Synonyms:
Boletus rhodopurpureus
The diameter of the cap is 5-20 centimeters. At first it has a spherical shape, later it becomes convex with slightly wavy edges. In wet weather, the velvety dry skin becomes a little slimy, forms small tubercles. Boletus pink-purple has an uneven color: a gray or olive-gray background with wine, red-brown or pink areas. If you press on the surface of the mushroom, it will be covered with dark blue spots. It is often damaged by insects, and yellow flesh can be seen in these places.
Tubular layer of lemon-yellow color, which later turns into greenish-yellow. The pores are blood-red (or orange-red), small, turn blue with pressure. Spore powder of olive brown color.
The leg of the fungus grows up to 15 cm in height, the diameter reaches 7 cm. At first, it has a tuberous shape, and later becomes cylindrical, has a clavate thickening. The color of the leg is lemon yellow, there is a reddish dense mesh, which, when pressed, turns black or blue.
Young specimens have firm lemon-yellow flesh, which, when damaged, very quickly turns blue-black, and after a long time turns into a wine-colored. The mushroom has a sweetish taste and a faint sour-fruity aroma.
Boletus pink-purple loves to grow on calcareous soils, prefers hilly and mountainous areas. It can be found in mixed and deciduous forests next to oak and beech trees.
You cannot eat the mushroom raw or undercooked, because it is poisonous. It is better not to collect it at all, since it is quite rare and little studied.
The habitat of this mushroom extends to Russia, Ukraine, European countries. Places with warm climates are preferred. It is very similar to edible mushrooms such as Boletus erythropus and Boletus luridus, as well as the satanic mushroom (Boletus satanas) and other similarly colored pains.