Postage stamp. Great Britain. Queen Elizabeth II. Decline in sites. Endangered species. Devil's bolete, Boletus satanas. 63p.
Rubroboletus satanas, commonly known as Satan's bolete or the Devil's bolete, is a basidiomycete fungus of the bolete family (Boletaceae) and one of its most infamous members. It is perhaps best known under its previous name, Boletus satanas, before the fungus was transferred to the new genus Rubroboletus in 2014, based on molecular phylogenetic data. Found in broad-leaved and mixed woodland in the warmer regions of Europe, it is classified as a poisonous mushroom, known to cause gastrointestinal symptoms of diarrhoea and violent vomiting. However, reports of poisoning are rare, due to its striking appearance and at times putrid smell, which discourage casual experimentation. The squat, brightly coloured fruiting bodies are often massive and imposing, with a pale, dull-coloured velvety cap up to 30 cm (12 in) across, yellow to orange-red pores and a bulbous red-patterned stem. The flesh turns blue when cut or bruised and overripe fruitbodies often emit an unpleasant smell reminiscent of carrion. It is arguably the largest bolete found in Europe.
Size: 2240px × 3000px
Photo credit: © Stan Pritchard / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 63p, basidiomycete, bolete, boletus, britain, commemorative, decline, devils, elizabeth, endangered, fungus, great, ii, mail, mushroom, poisonous, postage, queen, royal, rubroboletus, satanas, sites, species, stamp
