Strobilomyces

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Strobilomyces is a genus of boletes, mushrooms with a spongy network of pores under the cap. The best-known European species is Strobilomyces strobilaceus, also called the old man of the woods. There are about 40 known Strobilomyces species, with new ones described from warmer regions, such as S. foveatus from Malaysia.

Etymology and name: The genus name comes from Greek strobilos meaning “pine cone,” referring to the cone-like cap of S. strobilaceus. The ending -myces means mushroom.

Taxonomy: Kingdom Fungi; Division Basidiomycota; Class Agaricomycetes; Order Boletales; Family Boletaceae. The type species is S. strobilaceus (also once named S. floccopus). There is a synonym Eriocorys.

Classification notes: In older classification, Strobilomyces was placed in its own family, Strobilomycetaceae. Modern evidence places it in Boletaceae and shows it is more closely related to earthballs (Scleroderma) than to typical boletes like Suillus.