Appearance
The cap is 5–15 cm wide. At first, it is hemispherical, and later becomes flatter. The skin of the cap is light gray-brown to reddish gray-brown, later often more or less brown, smooth, bald, dry, and rather slimy when damp.The pores are white at a young age, later gray. In older specimens, the pores on the pileus can bulge out, while around the stipe they dent in strongly. The pore covering is easy to remove from the skin of the pileus.
The stipe is 5–15 cm long and 1–3.5 cm wide, slim, with white and dark to black flakes, and tapers upward. The basic mycelium is white.
The flesh is whitish, later more gray-white and does not change color when broken. In young specimens, the meat is relatively firm, but it very soon becomes spongy and holds water, especially in rainy weather. When cooked, the meat of the birch bolete turns black.
''Leccinum scabrum'' has been found in association with ornamental birch trees planted outside of its native range, such as in California.
Naming
Several different species of ''Leccinum'' mushrooms are found in mycorrhiza with birches, and can be confused by amateurs and mycologists alike. ''L. variicolor'' has a bluish stipe. ''L. oxydabile'' has firmer, pinkish flesh and a different pileus skin structure. ''L. melaneum'' is darker in color and has yellowish hues under the skin of the pileus and stipe. ''L. holopus'' is paler and whitish in all parts.
Uses
The birch bolete is edible and is especially enjoyable pickled in brine or vinegar. It is used also in mixed mushroom dishes, fried or steamed.References:
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