BOLETUS SATANAS: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, CONSUMPTION, SPECIES, CULTIVATION - BIOLOGY - 2025

Boletus satanas is a species of extremely toxic basidiomycete fungus in the Boletaceae family. Known as Satan's boletus or pig male, it is a poisonous mushroom that grows under deciduous forests in temperate regions of North America and Europe.

It is a large mushroom, whose hemispherical or convex hat with a velvety texture and grayish-white color presents a strong unpleasant odor. The foot is stubby, short and thick, yellowish in the upper part and reddish in the middle and basal part.

Boletus satanas. Source: Boletus-satanas-3.jpg: Bernypisaderivative work: Ak ccm / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

It is a thermophilic fungus that is found in forest clearings associated with deciduous species of cork oaks, chestnut trees, strawberry trees and oaks. It grows exclusively on soils of limestone origin, in dry and sunny environments, so it tends to emerge during the summer or early autumn.

It is considered a highly toxic species whose consumption can cause gastrointestinal disorders such as nausea, vomiting, intestinal pain or continuous diarrhea. In addition, it is often confused with other less toxic species of the Boletus genus of similar morphology but different colors, such as Boletus calopus, Boletus erytrophus, Boletus legaliae or Boletus rodoxanthus.

General characteristics

Boletus satanas in its natural environment. Source: photo taken by Archenzo in an Italian wood Piacenza's Appennino / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

Satan's boletus is characterized by a convex, compact and domed hat that measures between 20-30 cm in diameter and reaches 2 kg in weight. The surface is covered by a cottony cuticle of opaque grayish-white or very pale violet-green tones.

The stem or foot of the fruiting body is short, plump and bulky, 5-15 cm long by 5-10 cm wide. Usually yellowish on the upper part and reddish or pinkish on the middle and basal part.

Short, yellowish tubes develop in the hymenophore, turning purple when ripe. From these, yellow oval pores open when young, orange or red as they develop. The spore is purplish-green in color.

The meat is firm and whitish in consistency, but at the slightest contact with air it tends to turn blue-gray. It generally has an unpleasant odor in adult specimens and has a sweetish taste. It should not be consumed as it is extremely toxic.

Taxonomy

- Fungi kingdom

- Division: Basidiomycota

- Class: Agaricomycetes

- Order: Boletales

- Family: Boletaceae

- Genus: Boletus

- Species: Boletus satanas Lenz

Synonymy

- Tubiporus satanas (Lenz) Maire

Etymology

- Boletus: the name of the genus comes from the Greek «bolítes», an ancient term used to designate certain roots or edible mushrooms. Similarly, it derives from "bölos" which means clod, ball or lump of earth due to the shape and color of the crown of several of its species.

- satanas: the specific adjective is derived from the Latin "satanas", alluding to its meat with an unpleasant and toxic smell.

Habitat and distribution

Its natural habitat is located on soils of calcareous origin, preferably in hot and dry environments with full sun exposure. It develops on the edges of forests and open spaces under certain deciduous species such as cork oaks, chestnut trees, holm oaks, strawberry trees and oaks.

It is considered a thermophilic species, as it develops from late summer to early fall. It is uncommon in humid and cold environments. It is an endangered species, which requires preservation to prevent its disappearance.

Satan's ticket is found in the Northern Hemisphere, throughout deciduous tree forests in North America, Europe, and Asia. In the southern hemisphere it has been accidentally introduced, along with other species of commercial interest, in regions of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Consumption

The Boletus satanas mushroom is a poisonous species, although not fatal, whose consumption is restricted because it causes serious gastrointestinal disorders. It is easily identified by making a cross section of the foot, whose flesh turns bluish when in contact with the air, a distinctive sign of the Boletus satanas.

This mushroom is characterized by a dirty white cap, a reddish base and midfoot, and an unpleasant odor. It is advisable never to collect and consume mushrooms that have a reddish foot such as Boletus satanas.

Boletus satanas. Source. Jan Kops / Public domain

Effects edit

The involuntary consumption of Satan's ticket can cause resinoid syndrome or digestive intoxication of rapid incubation, between 5-6 hours. From this period on, the first symptoms appear, characterized by dizziness, nausea, vomiting, intestinal pain and diarrhea.

The severity of the poisoning is subject to the amount consumed, the age of the patient and their health. In the case of children, the elderly or patients with gastrointestinal diseases, dehydration problems or muscle cramps may occur that warrant their hospitalization.

Similarly, when severe poisoning occurs, migraines, headaches, general malaise, chills and cold sweats occur. In general, as long as the poisoning is properly treated, the symptoms disappear within 24-18 hours.

In the field, people tend to consume different types of mushrooms, to rule out any symptoms of intoxication it is advisable to carry out blood tests and amanitin test. If this species is consumed by mistake, it is advisable to go to the nearest health center or contact the emergency number in your area immediately.

Chemical composition

From the basidiomycete Boletus satanas, a toxic glycoprotein known as bolesatin has been isolated, which causes gastroenteritis in humans. This lectin, in low concentrations, shows mitogenic activity of lymphocytes, on the contrary, in high concentrations it can inhibit protein synthesis at the ribosomal level.

Precautions

It is important to note that many of the mushroom poisonings are due to the mycological ignorance of the amateurs who collect any species in the field. In case of doubts, it is best not to collect unknown specimens and seek advice from professionals to avoid possible poisoning.

Boletus satanas. Source: H. Krisp / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)

Treatment

Boletus satanas is not a lethal fungus, but it is highly toxic if consumed raw. It can cause gastrointestinal disorders shortly after ingestion, followed by vomiting and continuous diarrhea.

In this type of intoxication, symptomatic treatment is recommended, without providing antiemetics or antidiarrheals, to allow the natural elimination of toxins. Only hydroelectrolytic replacement is recommended and in the case of severe pain, apply an analgesic to reduce pain.

In case of severe poisoning, it is necessary to admit the patient to a hospital or emergency medical center. In this regard, treatment consists of stomach lavage, intravenous hydration, a liquid diet and complete rest.

Similar species

Satan's boletus is often confused with other species of basidiomycete fungi when its foot does not have the characteristic pigmentation. However, the best way to confirm your identity is to make a cross section on the foot, which turns bluish at the slightest contact with air.

Boletus erythropus

The Boletus erythropus species known as "red foot" is an edible mushroom that tends to be confused under certain environmental conditions. It differs from the Boletus satanas in the coloration of the hat, between reddish-brown to dark-brown, with a dry and opaque cover with a velvety textured cuticle.

The meat is firm, hard and yellowish in consistency, when it is cut or compressed it turns blue-purplish in color. The yellow tubes end in small reddish pores. It has a pleasant aroma and a sugary taste.

Boletus erythropus. Source: Boletus_erythropus_2010_G3.jpg: George Chernilevskyderivative work: Ak ccm / Public domain

Boletus calopus

The Boletus satanas can also be confused with the Boletus calopus species known as "bitter red foot", with compact flesh, intensely bitter and not very edible. Although the cut of the foot turns bluish on contact with the air, its external color is yellowish.

Boletus lupinus

It is usually confused with the Boletus calopus, although to a lesser extent, since it develops in similar, dry and warm environments during the summer and autumn. Its morphology varies according to environmental conditions, although reddish, yellowish and purple tones predominate on the crown and peduncle.

It is a mushroom 10-15 cm in diameter or larger, with an unpleasant appearance and smell, and equally toxic. The yellowish meat turns bluish when cooked and gives off a strong unpleasant odor.

Boletus rhodoxanthus

Species very similar to Boletus satanas, its whitish hat has pink edges, reddish pores and a yellowish foot with a red reticulum. It is an acidophilus species that bears fruit under chestnut and oak trees, it is not toxic, but its consumption is restricted since it tends to be confused with Satan's ticket.

Boletus aereus

The edible species Boletus aereus and Boletus reticulatus known as "black fungus" and "summer boletus" are often confused with Boletus satanas. Indeed, the main confusion occurs in old specimens that have lost color due to heat or heavy rainfall.

Although they develop in dissimilar habitats, B. satanas is basophilic, but B. aereus and B. reticulatus are acidophilic, they usually share the same ecosystem. The main difference is that both do not develop reddish pores and their flesh does not turn blue when cut, it always stays white.

Neoboletus erythropus

The Boletus satanas is also confused with the so-called "red foot bolets", edible mushrooms only under previous cooking treatment. These mushrooms develop in a similar habitat, the hat is velvety brown in color, the foot with reddish mottling and yellow flesh that turns blue when cut.

Boletus aereus. Source: Susanne Sourell (suse) / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Culture

The basidiomycete mushroom Boletus satanas is a fungus that grows wild in dry and warm environments. However, due to its high level of toxicity there is no interest for its commercial cultivation.

Care

This species develops on limestone soils and requires dry and warm environments to develop effectively. Indeed, it is a thermophilic and basophilic fungus that develops only during the summer and fall under deciduous tree forests.

References

1. Arrillaga A., P. and Laskibar U., X (2012) Toxic Mushrooms and Intoxications. Munibe Supplement 22 Gehigarria. Aranzadi Zientzi Elkartea Society of Sciences
2. Bissanti, G. (2018) Boletus satanas. An eco-sustainable world: within i codici della Natura. Recovered in: antropocene.it
3. Boletus satanas Lenz (1831) (2015) Natural Granada. Nature Nazarí SL. Recovered in: granadanatural.com
4. Campos, JC and Arregui, A. (2014) Manual of Good Practices and Guide of Mushrooms of Guadalajara. 4th Edition. Editions and Graphics Flaps. Spain.
5. Cuesta C., J. and Santamaria R., N. (2018) Boletus satanas Lenz. Mushroom blades.
6. De Andrés, RM, Villarroel, P., Fernández, F., Canora, J., Pardo, P., & Quintana, M. (2010). Action guide for suspected mushroom poisoning. Mycetisms. Madrid: Salud Madrid. Sub-directorate of Management and Monitoring of Objectives in Hospitals.
7. Martínez, JM (2016) Satan's ticket. The most dangerous thermophilic Boletal. Basket and Mushrooms. Recovered in: Cestaysetas.com