Created: 2008-11-12 10:12:18

By: Dimitar Bojantchev (dimitar)

Summary: Couldn’t be S. luteus. Try the obvious thing — Suillus ponderosus.

Comment: Ryan, and everybody, when identifying species in the Genus Suillus the
identification of the tree host is of special importance. Suillus
luteus is a species known almost entirely from the well known
White/Scott’s Pine (Pinus sylvestris), which is not native to
Calfiornia. It would be a significant scientific discovery to find
S. luteus in the natural forests of Mendocino.

Here is a link to Suillus luteus from planted Pinus sylvestris in the
East Bay.

http://mushroomhobby.com/...

What you have there almost certainly is one of the typical members of
the SUillus group from Mendocino — Suillus ponderosus, which grows
with Douglas Fir and has a distinct, thick orange veil.

http://mushroomhobby.com/...

Also, keep in mind that doing an id on a single specimen is a terrible
idea in general. One needs at least few in varying ages.

Ohh, also, David Arora tends to treat S. caerulescens and
S. ponderosus as nearly the same thing, but my observations do not
support that. I think they are quite, quite distinct and easy to tell
apart.

There are 3-4 common Suillus species in the Mendocino forests. We
should learn them pretty well, cause they are rather easy. Some other
Suillus are very hard to id.

Have fun out there, hope we’re learning somehting here.