Fungus
Ornate-stalked Bolete
Retiboletus ornatipesAlso known as Goldstalk, Yellow-stemmed Bolete
Ornate-stalked boletes stand out in summer hardwood forests with their bright yellow pore surfaces and deeply reticulated, net-like stems. The cap shifts from yellowish-brown to olive-grey with age, while the flesh inside bruises slowly to a subtle greyish tint when cut. These mycorrhizal fungi form essential underground partnerships with oaks and beech trees across eastern North America.
MycorrhizalForestSummer
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyMycorrhizal (symbiotic with tree roots)
Predators
- Fungus gnats
- Squirrels
- Slugs
ThreatsHabitat loss and soil compaction
HabitatsDeciduous and mixed forests, particularly near oak and beech
Life spanFruiting bodies persist 1–2 weeks; underground mycelium can live decades
Classification
- OrderBoletales
- FamilyBoletaceae
- GenusRetiboletus
- SpeciesRetiboletus ornatipes
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
- Observe the Stalk: Look closely at the deep, raised reticulations that cover the bright yellow stem.
- Check the Pores: Note the yellow pore surface underneath the cap that does not turn blue when bruised.
- Leave in Place: Allow mature mushrooms to drop spores and maintain forest soil health.
Look-alike (c) Daniel Ghyselinck, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Daniel Ghyselinck · cc-by
Host Plant (c) Alicia Ballard, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative This image was created by user (hríb) at Mushroom Observer, a source for mycological images.You can contact this user here. / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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