''Leccinum'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial n ...

of fungi in the family

Boletaceae The Boletaceae are a family of mushroom-forming fungi, primarily characterised by small pores on the spore-bearing hymenial surface (at the underside of the mushroom), instead of gills as are found in most agarics. Nearly as widely distributed ...

. It was the name given first to a series of fungi within the genus '' Boletus'', then erected as a new genus last century. Their main distinguishing feature is the small, rigid projections (scabers) that give a rough texture to their stalks. The genus name was coined from the Italian ''Leccino'', for a type of rough-stemmed bolete. The genus has a widespread distribution, especially in north

temperate In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (23.5° to 66.5° N/S of Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ranges throughout t ...

regions, and contains about 75 species.

Ecology and habitat

''Leccinum'' species are generally found in the woodlands of

Eurasia Eurasia (, ) is the largest continental area on Earth, comprising all of Europe and Asia. Primarily in the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres, it spans from the British Isles and the Iberian Peninsula in the west to the Japanese archipelag ...

, and North America, forming ecto mycorrhizal associations with trees. Most ''Leccinum'' species are mycorrhizal specialists, associating with trees of a single genus. ''

Leccinum aurantiacum ''Leccinum aurantiacum'' is a species of fungus in the genus ''Leccinum'' found in forests of Eurasia and North America. It has a large, characteristically red-capped basidiocarp, fruiting body. In North America, it is sometimes referred to by t ...

'' is an exception, however, occurring in mycorrhizal association with

birch A birch is a thin-leaved deciduous hardwood tree of the genus ''Betula'' (), in the family Betulaceae, which also includes alders, hazels, and hornbeams. It is closely related to the beech- oak family Fagaceae. The genus ''Betula'' contains 3 ...

, poplar, and oak.

Culinary value

They have generally been presumed to be edible for the most part, but there are reports of poisoning after eating unidentified members of the genus in North America, even after thorough cooking. The orange- to red-capped species, including ''L. insigne'', are suspected. Species of ''Leccinum'' often cause nausea when consumed raw.

Species

There are around 75 species including:

References

External links

* Includes key. * Includes key to North American species. * Includes ''Leccinum'' species. * {{Taxonbar , from=Q573152 Boletales genera