Tylopilus rhodoconius is a species of bolete fungus that grows in association with trees, particularly oak and pine. In East and Central Texas, it typically fruits from June to October, often in sandy soils and wooded areas. The cap is pinkish-red to reddish-brown, 3-8 cm wide, and convex to flat. The pores are small, angular, and yellowish to olive-green. The stalk is similar in color to the cap, 3-6 cm long, and 0.5-1.5 cm thick. Spores are brown in deposit and elliptical in shape. This fungus is considered edible, but its quality is often reported as poor due to a soft, bitter, or unpleasant texture.
Bolete mushroom Tylopilus rhodoconius on floodplain on a sandy terrace above the creek on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, July 15, 2018 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Cap of bolete mushroom Tylopilus rhodoconius on floodplain on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, July 15, 2018 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Dissected bolete mushroom Tylopilus rhodoconius on floodplain on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, July 15, 2018 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Underside of bolete mushroom Tylopilus rhodoconius on floodplain on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, July 15, 2018 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Side view of bolete mushroom Tylopilus rhodoconius on floodplain on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, July 15, 2018 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Bolete mushrooms Tylopilus rhodoconius on a sandy terrace on a bend of the creek on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 17, 2020 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Dissected bolete mushrooms Tylopilus rhodoconius on a sandy terrace on a bend of the creek on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 17, 2020 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Underside of bolete mushrooms Tylopilus rhodoconius on a sandy terrace on a bend of the creek on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 17, 2020 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Marbling in cross section of bolete mushrooms Tylopilus rhodoconius on a sandy terrace on a bend of the creek on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 17, 2020 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Rusty orange cap of a bolete mushroom Tylopilus rhodoconius on a sandy path on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, July 31, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Underside of a bolete mushroom Tylopilus rhodoconius on a sandy path on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, July 31, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Dissected bolete mushroom Tylopilus rhodoconius on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, July 31, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Side view of a bolete mushroom Tylopilus rhodoconius on Chinquapin Trail in Huntsville State Park. Texas, September 24, 2020 Lone Star Trail, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Cross section of a bolete mushroom Tylopilus rhodoconius on Chinquapin Trail in Huntsville State Park. Texas, September 24, 2020 Lone Star Trail, Huntsville, TX 77340, USA
Caps of a dense cluster of bolete mushrooms Tylopilus rhodoconius(?) near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 8, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Bolete mushrooms Tylopilus rhodoconius(?) growing in a dense tuft (caespitose) under pines near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 8, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Bolete mushrooms Gyroporus phaeocyanescens and Tylopilus rhodoconius near the creek in a pine forest with oaks, beautyberry, recently burned, near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, July 11, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Side view of bolete mushrooms Gyroporus phaeocyanescens and Tylopilus rhodoconius on a recently burned forest floor near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, July 11, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Mature bolete mushrooms Tylopilus rhodoconius on a sandy path on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, July 23, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Caps of mature bolete mushrooms Tylopilus rhodoconius on a sandy path on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, July 23, 2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Bolete mushroom Tylopilus rhodoconius on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 7, 2021 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Bolete mushrooms Tylopilus rhodoconius(?) on sandy soil, in a pine forest after prescribed fire on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 29, 2022 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Underside of bolete mushrooms Tylopilus rhodoconius(?) on sandy soil, in a pine forest after prescribed fire on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 29, 2022 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Cross section of bolete mushrooms Tylopilus rhodoconius(?) on sandy soil, in a pine forest after prescribed fire on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 29, 2022 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Spores of bolete mushrooms Tylopilus rhodoconius(?) collected on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 29, 2022
AI-generated summary of observations
The fungus Tylopilus rhodoconius was observed in East and Central Texas from 2018 to 2022. The majority of sightings were in Sam Houston National Forest, specifically on Caney Creek Trail and Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail. The mushroom was found growing on sandy terraces, paths, and floodplains, often under pines. Observations included various stages of growth, from mature caps to dissected and cross-sectioned specimens. Some sightings noted the presence of other bolete species, such as Gyroporus phaeocyanescens. The mushrooms were found in areas with recent burning or prescribed fire, suggesting a possible association with disturbed habitats. The observations provide valuable information on the distribution, habitat, and morphology of Tylopilus rhodoconius in East and Central Texas.