Xerocomellus diffractus
{{Short description|Species of mushroom}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Xerocomellus diffractus imported from iNaturalist photo 101062476 on 16 February 2024.jpg
| genus = Xerocomellus
| species = diffractus
| authority = N. Siegel, C.F. Schwartz, J.L. Frank
}}
{{Mycomorphbox
| name = Xerocomellus diffractus
| hymeniumType = pores
| capShape = convex
| stipeCharacter = bare
| sporePrintColor = olive-brown
| ecologicalType = mycorrhizal
| howEdible = edible
| capShape2 = flat
}}
Xerocomellus diffractus, commonly known as the cracked-cap bolete,{{Cite book |last=Schwarz |first=Christian |title=Mushrooms of the redwood coast: a comprehensive guide to the fungi of coastal northern California |last2=Siegel |first2=Noah |date=2016 |publisher=Ten Speed Press |isbn=978-1-60774-817-5 |location=Berkeley}} is a species of mushroom in the family Boletaceae. It is found in western North America.{{Cite web |title=Xerocomellus diffractus |url=https://redlist.info/iucn/species_view/821025/ |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=redlist.info}}
Taxonomy
Description
The cap is brownish and {{convert|3.5-9|cm|frac=4}} wide.{{Cite book |last=Audubon |title=Mushrooms of North America |publisher=Knopf |year=2023 |isbn=978-0-593-31998-7 |pages=368}} It develops cracks as it gets older.{{Cite web |date=2018-09-18 |title=Xerocomellus diffractus |url=https://boletes.wpamushroomclub.org/product/xerocomellus-diffractus/ |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=The Bolete Filter |language=en-US}} The cracks start out pale to whitish, and turn pinkish as the mushroom gets older. The stipe is {{Convert|4-9|cm|abbr=on|frac=4}} tall and {{Convert|7-18|mm|frac=8}} wide.{{Cite web |last=Stevens |first=Michael Wood & Fred |title=California Fungi: Xerocomellus diffractus |url=https://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/species/Xerocomellus_diffractus.html |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=Mykoweb.com}} The flesh is whitish in the cap, yellow in the stem, and stains blue. The spore print is olive brown.
= Similar species =
Xerocomellus diffractus can be confused with several other species of mushrooms, including X. amylosporus, X. mendocinensis, X. salicola, X. rainisiae, and X. chrysenteron. However, X. amylosporus, X. mendocinensis, X. salicola, and X. rasisiae bruise blue quicker and more intensely, and X. chrysenteron is found in Europe.{{Cite web |title=Xerocomellus diffractus |url=https://www.mushroomexpert.com/xerocomellus_diffractus.html |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=MushroomExpert.Com}}
Habitat and ecology
Xerocomellus diffractus is a mycorrhizal fungus, found growing under trees.