Imperator rhodopurpureus

Morphological Features:

Pileus of robust habit, reaching up to 20 cm in diameter at maturity; initially hemispherical, later becoming globose, a shape it typically retains, or occasionally turning convex when old. When young, it exhibits a characteristic pink coloration, though with age it shifts to various shades ranging from yellowish to vinous-red. The surface is glossy when wet, otherwise dry and finely pubescent, frequently zonately depressed. Margin lobulate and slightly overhanging. Bluishes upon handling.

Tubes quite long and adnate to slightly decurrent, yellow, later becoming olivaceous; stain blue markedly upon cutting.

Pores occasionally yellow, more commonly bright red; small and staining blue very readily upon the slightest touch.

Stipe very thick when young and stout, elongating slightly to become clavate or cylindrical with a bulbous base. Bright yellow except at the base, which becomes vinous-red; an intermediate orange zone may also be present. Covered by a very fine reticulum, sometimes faintly visible; initially concolorous, later pinkish, and finally red.

Flesh deceptively soft in texture, despite the robust habit of the mushroom suggesting otherwise. Stains dark blue rapidly and completely upon cutting, although initially yellow. Taste sweetish but with an unpleasant undertone; odor acidulous.

Habitat:

A relatively uncommon species, but it tends to fruit abundantly in certain years, followed by absence for 4 or 5 years. Quite thermophilic, fruits in summer and autumn; we have only observed it in broadleaf forests.

Observations:

Suspected to be toxic; therefore, consumption should be avoided. When young, it is fairly well distinguished from its congeners by its uniform pink coloration, but identification becomes more challenging with mature specimens. Imperator luteocupreus is very similar; when young it is whitish rather than pink, but becomes pinkish or reddish at maturity, with a markedly overhanging pileus margin.