Phlebopus marginatus
Phlebopus marginatus, known as the Salmon gum mushroom in Western Australia, is a member of the Boletales or pored fungi and probably Australia's largest terrestrial mushroom (fungi fruiting body) with the weight of one specimen from Victoria recorded at 29 kg (64 pounds). It is an imposing sight in forests of southeastern and southwestern Australia. It often grows on suburban lawns under eucalypts in Sydney's northern suburbs. Initially described as Boletus marginatus in 1845, and also previously known as as Phaeogyroporus portentosus and Boletus portentosus it is in fact not as closely related to typical boletes as once thought.
The generic name is derived from the Greek Φλεβο- "vein" and πους "foot"
Phlebopus marginatus may reach huge proportions, with a chestnut cap up to 1 metre (40 inches) in diameter and yellowish pores and thick ringless stalk. Spores are yellow-brown. Mature specimens are very attractive to insects, mainly small beetles and maggots, and are very often infested with them.
Phlebopus marginatus is an example of a Gondwanan fungus, being found in Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka as well as Australia and New Zealand, with related species found in South America. Within Australia it occurs in eucalypt forests and may be found any time after rain.
As with many Australian mushrooms, Phlebopus marginatus is generally recorded as of unknown edibility though one book describes it as reputedly edible and mild tasting (Griffiths K (1985). A field guide to the larger fungi of the Darling Scarp & South West of Western Australia. Griffiths K. ISBN 0-9589705-0-5)
Some sites on the internet also suggest that this mushroom was used as a food source by Australian Aborigines.
- Caro with a Phlebopus marginatus, easily the largest bolete species growing in Australia. This one was found growing on
- Phlebopus marginatus, easily the largest bolete in Australia, Upper Allyn, April 2007
- Phlebopus marginatus showing pores on suburban lawn, Pymble, New South Wales, Australia after rain, January 2010
- Phlebopus marginatus on suburban lawn, Pymble, New South Wales, Australia after rain, January 2010
