Source-reviewed species profile
Birch bolete Leccinum scabrum
A brown bolete with an off-white to grey pore layer and a pale stem with brown-black scales.
Where can I find birch bolete?
Forms mycorrhiza beneath birch in deciduous woodland. Document the tree and the complete stem when logging the finding.
In Mycoverse you can select Birch bolete and compare candidate search areas using a species-specific assessment of rainfall, estimated soil moisture, temperature, forest type, tree signals, canopy cover, terrain and season. Where source coverage is available, the assessment also uses historical species observations. Historical observations are historical data, not recent finds.
Images, text and app suggestions cannot confirm a species or food safety.
Field features
- The cap is convex, varies in brown shades and is usually 5–15 cm across.
- The underside has pores rather than gills and is off-white to grey.
- The stem is off-white with distinct brown-black scales.
Habitat and search guidance
Forms mycorrhiza beneath birch in deciduous woodland. Document the tree and the complete stem when logging the finding.
Months
September–November
Species requiring extra care
Compare the complete mushroom, habitat and season. These cards support learning; they do not identify a finding.
Orange birch bolete
Orange birch bolete has an orange to red-brown cap; birch bolete has a brown cap. Host tree, stem scabers and flesh colour changes must be assessed together.
Open and compare →Mottled bolete
Both associate with birch. Mottled bolete often has a darker mottled cap and may show blue-green tones at the stem base.
Open and compare →Safety status
The Norwegian reference list classifies the species as edible, but this lesson does not confirm a finding. Use a qualified mushroom inspection service before considering it as food.
Sources and review status
Last reviewed: 26 July 2026.