Source-reviewed species profile
Orange birch bolete Leccinum versipelle
A large bolete with an orange to reddish-brown cap and a pale stem covered in small black scales.
Where can I find orange birch bolete?
Forms mycorrhiza beneath birch in deciduous woodland. Check the host tree, pore layer, stem scales and colour change together.
In Mycoverse you can select Orange 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 hemispherical to convex and may reach 5–25 cm across.
- The pore layer is grey-white to grey, while the pale stem has small black scales.
- The flesh turns grey-violet after a few minutes in air.
Habitat and search guidance
Forms mycorrhiza beneath birch in deciduous woodland. Check the host tree, pore layer, stem scales and colour change together.
Months
September–November
Species requiring extra care
Compare the complete mushroom, habitat and season. These cards support learning; they do not identify a finding.
Safety status
Poisonous raw and requires at least 15 minutes of cooking at medium to high heat according to the Norwegian reference list. The app cannot confirm identity or food safety; always have the finding checked before considering it as food.
Sources and review status
Last reviewed: 26 July 2026.