Species library · Mushrooms

Red-cap Bolete: poisonous

Leratiomyces erythrocephalus

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

Red-cap 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 September to January in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland, Woodland edges.

☠ Poisonous
Red-cap Bolete (Leratiomyces erythrocephalus)

Photo: (c) Jon Sullivan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jon Sullivan · iNaturalist

When Red-cap Bolete appears

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

Where it grows

Red-cap Bolete is usually found in Woodland, Woodland edges.

Look up Red-cap Bolete in the app

In the Forage app, Red-cap 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-cap Bolete: common questions

Is Red-cap Bolete poisonous?

Yes. Red-cap 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-cap Bolete appear?

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

Where does Red-cap Bolete grow?

Red-cap Bolete is usually found in Woodland, Woodland edges.

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