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Old Man of the Woods
A gray-and-black shaggy bolete of eastern oak forests, one of the North American 'old man of the woods'. It differs from S. floccopus by its smaller, stiff, erect cap scales and by spores that are spiny with short ridges rather than fully reticulate. The two species are often confused in the field, and microscopy is needed to be sure.
Edible (Indiana Mushrooms; Horn's Boletes), but often rated poor: Forager Chef finds old man of the woods musty unless blanched. No toxic look-alikes are noted; the shaggy black-and-gray cap and flesh that reddens then blackens are distinctive. S. floccopus is also edible. Eat only fresh, firm specimens, well cooked.
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Mycology is an evolving science: names, classifications and safety information change as research advances. Entries are compiled from cited sources and reviewed, but may be incomplete or out of date — check the sources, and never rely on this library alone to identify or eat a mushroom.
