Boletus rubriceps, a new species of porcini from the southwestern USA

Abstract

The porcini (Boletus s.s.) are an economically important group of ectomycorrhizal fungi whose basidiocarps have a white tube layer at first, reticulate stipe, and white flesh. The type species, B. edulis, is widespread and morphologically variable, with very little genetic variation from Eurasia to North America. Here we describe a new species of porcini, Boletus rubriceps, from the southwestern USA. Morphological characters and molecular data (ITS and LSU) distinguish this species from the Eurasian B. edulis and North American B. edulis var. grandedulis.