Birch bolete Leccinum scabrum

Found: throughout NZ

Birch boletes look similar to porcini, but the white stems are covered in brown scales.

The other big difference is where they grow – birch boletes in New Zealand are only found living under silver birches (Betula pendula). If you're unsure which mushroom you've found, look at the stem and where it's growing.

Their brown caps are 5-15cm wide and have smooth white pores (not gills). They can be harvested from late summer into autumn.