Species library · Mushrooms

Red-capped Bolete: poisonous

Boletus rubriceps

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Red-capped Bolete is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. Have every wild mushroom checked by a qualified mushroom expert before eating it.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from August to October in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
Red-capped Bolete (Boletus rubriceps)

Photo: (c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Rockefeller · iNaturalist

When Red-capped Bolete appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Red-capped Bolete is usually found in Woodland.

Look up Red-capped Bolete in the app

In the Forage app, Red-capped Bolete has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Red-capped Bolete: common questions

Is Red-capped Bolete poisonous?

Yes. Red-capped Bolete is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Red-capped Bolete appear?

Red-capped Bolete usually appears from August to October in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Red-capped Bolete grow?

Red-capped Bolete is usually found in Woodland.

What can Red-capped Bolete be confused with?

Toxic look-alikes: Satan's bolete, Red-flesh bolete, Lurid bolete. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by a qualified mushroom expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits