Boletus badius

The Bay bolete, Boletus (formerly Xerocomus) badius, is a common edible pored mushroom from Europe and North America. Often considered a poor relation of the Cep (Boletus edulis), it is nevertheless highly regarded by some authors such as Antonio Carluccio.

Description
It derives its common name from the bay or chestnut coloured cap, which is almost spherical in young specimens before broadening and flattening out to 18 cm. The pores are cream to pale yellow, but stain blue when bruised or cut. The flesh is white and stains pale blue, the stem is up to 12.5 cm and similar in colour to the cap but paler. It appears less affected by maggots than other boletes.

Distribution and habitat
The Bay Bolete is common in mixed woodlands in Europe and North America from Eastern Canada west to Minnesota and south to North Carolina in autumn.