Slippery jack (Suillus luteus) — identification, habitat

Quick answers

Where to look?

Conifer forest, Mixed forest

When does it appear?

May — Oct

Active months: May, June, July, August, September, October.

How to recognize it? Three signs

Cap color: Brown, Chestnut
Cap shape: Convex, Flat
Smell: Pleasant, mushroomy

Fruiting season

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

May – October

Description

The slippery jack (Suillus luteus) is one of the most common edible boletes of the coniferous forests of Eurasia. It forms mycorrhiza with pine, so you'll almost always find it under pines — in plantations, young pine forests and park plantings.

Its hallmark is a slimy, buttery-shiny cap, which gives the mushroom its Ukrainian name. It fruits abundantly in August–October, often in big flushes after rain. It grows in groups, carpeting the ground under the pines.

Edible, popular for pickling and stewing. Before cooking, it's recommended to peel off the slimy cap skin — it can cause stomach upset in some people.

Cap

Cap 4–12 cm across, convex in young mushrooms, later flattened-convex. The surface is covered with a thick layer of slime — especially in wet weather. Color chocolate-brown or chestnut, yellowish brown when dry. The margin often bears remnants of the partial veil.

Hymenophore

The hymenophore has tubes. Pores yellow, small, regular, turning yellow-green with age. The tubes are attached to the stem or run slightly down it. When pressed, the pores turn slightly brownish.

Stem

Stem 5–10 cm tall, 1–2 cm thick, solid, cylindrical. Yellow and granular in the upper part, brown or violet-brownish below the ring. A characteristic purple-brown membranous ring — a veil remnant and one of the key diagnostic features of the species.

Flesh

Flesh yellowish or pale cream, firm in young mushrooms, softer in mature ones. Turns slightly pink when cut or stays unchanged. The taste is mild, pleasant, slightly sourish. The cap skin peels off easily together with the slime.

Smell

Smell pleasant, unobtrusively mushroomy, slightly resinous — reflecting its symbiosis with pine. With cooking the aroma intensifies and becomes more pronounced. No foreign unpleasant notes.

Lookalikes

Chalciporus piperatus

Hygrophorus hypothejus

Mushrooms of the same genus and habitat — to study side by side and never mix up.

Hollow bolete

Suillus cavipes

Edible

Suillus asiaticus

Edible

Bulbous honey fungus

Armillaria gallica

Conditionally edible

Dark honey fungus

Armillaria ostoyae

Conditionally edible

Poplar fieldcap

Cyclocybe aegerita

Edible

Ringless honey fungus

Desarmillaria tabescens

Conditionally edible

Agaricus abruptibulbus

Edible

Agaricus haemorrhoidarius

Agaricus haemorroidarius

Edible

Frequently asked questions

Is Slippery jack edible or poisonous?

Slippery jack is edible. Before eating any wild mushroom, always double-check current information in reliable sources and consult an expert.

Does Slippery jack have gills or pores?

The spore-bearing surface (hymenophore) of Slippery jack: pored.

What does the cap of Slippery jack look like?

Cap 4–12 cm across, convex in young mushrooms, later flattened-convex. The surface is covered with a thick layer of slime — especially in wet weather. Color chocolate-brown or chestnut, yellowish brown when dry.

What does the stem of Slippery jack look like?

Stem 5–10 cm tall, 1–2 cm thick, solid, cylindrical. Yellow and granular in the upper part, brown or violet-brownish below the ring.

What do Slippery jack smell and taste like?

Smell pleasant, unobtrusively mushroomy, slightly resinous — reflecting its symbiosis with pine. Taste: mild.

Where does Slippery jack grow?

Typical habitats: Conifer forest, Mixed forest.

Which trees does Slippery jack grow under?

Slippery jack usually grows near: Pine.

When should you pick Slippery jack?

It fruits in: May, June, July, August, September, October.

What can Slippery jack be confused with?

Slippery jack can be mistaken for: Bovine bolete, Peppery bolete, Weeping bolete, Larch bolete, Bay bolete, Suillus spectabilis, Herald of winter, Suillus clintonianus, Suillus flavidus, Suillus placidus, Velvet bolete, Sticky bolete, Copper spike, Orange webcap. Study the distinguishing features carefully — detailed comparisons are in the “Lookalikes” section.

How do you cook Slippery jack?

Slippery jack can be fried, boiled, pickled and dried. Before cooking, it's recommended to boil it for 10–15 minutes and drain the water.

Can you dry Slippery jack?

Yes, Slippery jack is well suited to drying and freezing. Dried mushrooms keep their aroma and work well in soups, sauces and fillings.

What is the scientific name of Slippery jack?

The Latin name is Suillus luteus. It belongs to the genus Suillus, family Suillaceae.

Slippery jackSuillus luteus

Quick answers

Description