A simple guide

to the genera of trees and shrubs

mycorrhizal hosts of boletes

Texts
Boris Assyov

Photographs
Boris Assyov
Ivelina Assyova
Ilia Cheshmedzhiev
 Alphabetical Index to Genera
Latin names

Coniferous trees and shrubs

Abies....................................................................................4
Juniperus.............................................................................5
Larix....................................................................................7
Picea....................................................................................8
Pinus....................................................................................9
Pseudotsuga......................................................................11

Broadleaf trees and shrubs

Alnus..................................................................................12
Arctostaphylos...................................................................13
Betula................................................................................14
Carpinus............................................................................16
Castanea............................................................................18
Cistus.................................................................................19
Coryllus.............................................................................20
Fagus.................................................................................22
Helianthemum...................................................................24
Ostrya................................................................................25
Populus..............................................................................26
Quercus.............................................................................28
Salix...................................................................................31
Tilia...................................................................................33

Provided by http://boletales.com 2
 Alphabetical Index to Genera
English names

Coniferous trees and shrubs

Douglas Fir........................................................................11
Fir........................................................................................4
Juniper.................................................................................5
Larch...................................................................................7
Pine......................................................................................9
Spruce..................................................................................8

Broadleaf trees and shrubs

Alder..................................................................................12
Aspen................................................................................26
Bearberry...........................................................................13
Beech.................................................................................22
Birch..................................................................................14
Hazel.................................................................................20
Hop-hornbeam..................................................................25
Hornbeam..........................................................................16
Lime..................................................................................33
Oak....................................................................................28
Poplar................................................................................26
Rock Roses..................................................................19, 24
Sweet Chestnut..................................................................18
Willow...............................................................................31

Provided by http://boletales.com 3
Abies Fir
Pinaceae

Magnificent coniferous trees, some of them native to Europe,

others introduced. Firs have single, needle-like flattened
leaves usually with two distinct whitish lines on the lower
side. The cones are peculiar, standing upright on the
branches, quickly disintegrating at maturity and leaving only
the cone axis on the branches, thus resembling the cones of
cedar (Cedrus). Do not confuse with spruce (Picea), which
has non flattened needle-like leaves without whitish lines
and persistent hanging cones.

Abies alba – the most common native fir

Pay attention to the disintegrating cones
photo I. Cheshmedzhiev

Provided by http://boletales.com 4
Juniperus Juniper
Cupressaceae

Junipers are small to medium sized shrubs or small trees. A

number of these are native to the European continent and
some species are introduced in parks and gardens. The
leaves are varied – either small scale-like and densely
covering the branches, or needle-like and grouped by three
along the branches. The cone in this genus is very special –
it is small, bright coloured (red, blue or blackish) and
resembles proper fruit. Nonetheless it is a cone (also called
galbule) and not fruit.

Juniperus sibirica – a dwarf mountain shrub

photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 5
Juniperus oxycedrus – southern species, resembling very much the
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis), but having red instead of
blue cones
photo B. Assyov

Juniperus sabina – one of the few junipers

in Europe with scale-like leaves
photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 6
 Larix Larch
Pinaceae

Handsome coniferous trees, one of them native to Europe

(Larix decidua), and some species introduced from North
America and Asia. The European Larch is native to the
mountains of Central Europe, but is widely planted elsewhere
on the continent. Larch is probably the most peculiar
European conifer. Its leaves are soft, needle-like, clustered
by many on very short branches. Larch leaves are not
overwintering, they go yellow in the autumn and fall
completely leaving the tree leafless during the winter.

Larix decidua
photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 7
Picea Spruce
Pinaceae

Outstanding coniferous trees, four of them native to Europe,

and a number of species introduced from North America and
Asia. Spruce is recognized by its persistent cones and
needle-like leaves, densely covering the branches but always
single. Spruce is often mistaken for fir, but firs have
disintegrating cones and mostly flattened leaves with two
whitish lines on the lower surface. The spruce leaves are not
flattened but almost square in cross section and do not have
whitish lines, but are uniformly coloured.

Picea abies
photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 8
Pinus Pine
Pinaceae

Diverse genus, with many species native to Europe, and a

number of others introduced from North America and Asia.
Among the other conifers the pines are recognized by their
needle-like leaves which are paired or clustered. Most of the
European species have paired leaves (P. sylvestris, P. nigra,
P. halepensis, P. pinaster, etc.), but some have leaves
clustered by five (P. cembra, P. peuce). Both two-needled
and five-needled pines (e.g. P. strobus) are introduced from
America and Asia, as well as some three-needled species.
Most of the species are trees but there are also some
mountain species with shrub-like appearance (P. mugo).
Cones are very diverse and their shape varies from species
to species, but in all of them, they are woody and persistent.

Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) – one of the

most common 2-needled pines in Europe
photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 9
 Molika Pine (Pinus peuce) – native to Europe
5-needled pine found in the Balkans
photo B. Assyov

Dwarf pines (Pinus mugo) cover extensive areas in the

mountains
photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 10
Pseudotsuga Douglas Fir
Pinaceae

Handsome coniferous trees, native to North America and

Asia, in Europe introduced and widely planted. In some
places it is well established and self-seeding. Douglas Fir is
similar to proper firs and has single, needle-like flattened
leaves usually with two distinct whitish lines on the lower
side. The cones are peculiar, hanging and persistent. Do not
confuse with proper fir (Abies), that has disintegrating at
maturity cones. There are not many fungi known in Europe
growing under Douglas Fir, but especially among the boletes
there is one notable example – Suillus lakei, species strictly
mycorrhizal with those trees and brought in Europe probably
with the first seedlings transported from America.

Pseudotsuga menziesii
photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 11
 Alnus Alder
Betulaceae

Small-sized deciduous trees or shrubs, seen mostly in

temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere. Few are seen
native in Europe and many exotic species are grown in
gardens and parks. The leaves are of various shape and are
serrated. All species have inconspicuous flowers collected in
inflorescences – male or female catkins. The male catkins
are pendulous and the female inflorescences are of peculiar
cone-like shape that is easy to remember, as it does not
occur in any other European tree. The fruits are small with
two wings. There are not many boletes mycorrhizally
connected with alders, but there are two very interesting,
namely Gyrodon lividus and Paxillus rubicundulus.

Black Alder (Alnus gluitnosa) with female catkins

photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 12
Arctostaphylos Bearberry
Ericaceae

Dwarf shrub up to 20 cm high, mostly seen in the high

mountains. It has shiny leaves with reticulate veins, by which
character it is easily distinguished from the similar Cowberry
(Vaccinium vitis-idaea). The fruits are red berries. Only one
bolete is known to fruit with Bearberry – Leccinum vulpinum.

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 13
Betula Birch
Betulaceae

Deciduous small trees or shrubs, seen in temperate areas of

the Northern Hemisphere. Few are seen native in Europe
and many exotic species are grown in gardens and park.
Most of the birches have very distinct shiny white bark, by
which they are easily spotted and recognized. In more
northern areas of Europe the small shrubby Dwarf Birch
(Betula nana) is common. All species have inconspicuous
flowers collected in inflorescences – pendulous or erect
catkins. The fruits are small with two wings. There are many
boletes mycorrhizally connected with birches and first of all
some species of Leccinum.

Silver Birch (Betula pendula)

photo I. Assyova

Provided by http://boletales.com 14
 Silver Birch (Betula pendula)
photo I. Cheshmedzhiev

Wet woodland of Betula pubescens

photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 15
Carpinus Hornbeam
Betulaceae

Deciduous trees, seen in temperate areas of the Northern

Hemisphere. There are two native species in Europe – the
European Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and Oriental
Hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis) both known for their very
hard wood. Few other American and Asian species are rarely
seen as introduced in parks and gardens. Hornbeams are
recognized by their finely serrated leaves and the peculiar
fruits – a catkin of small nuts, each embraced by leafy
bracts. Do not confuse with the Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya) that
has fruits more resembling those of Hop (Humulus lupulus).
Hornbeams typically have very smooth bark. The two
European species are easy to distinguish – Carpinus betulus
has larger leaves and 3-lobed bracts of the fruit; Carpinus
orientalis has much smaller leaves and entire toothed bracts.

Carpinus orientalis – coppiced woodland

photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 16
 Carpinus betulus
photo B. Assyov

Carpinus orientalis
photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 17
Castanea Sweet chestnut
Fagaceae

Handsome deciduous trees, seen in areas with mild climate.

Castanea sativa is native to Europe, others species are
occasionally seen as introduced. Sweet chestnut has peculiar
and easy to remember long serrated leaves and spiny fruits.

Castanea sativa – branch with young fruits

photo B. Assyov

Castanea sativa – mature fruit

photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 18
Cistus Rock rose
Cistaceae

Small or large shrubs extensively present in the European

Mediterranean and often planted elsewhere. They all have
persistent leaves and large flowers with five petals, coloured
from white to dark pink.

Cistus incanus
photo B. Assyov

Cistus salviaefolius
photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 19
Coryllus Hazel
Betulaceae

Small trees or shrubs. Few species are known, of them only

two are found in Europe. Beech is recognized by its double
toothed leaves, the flowers and especially the fruits. The
flowers are very small. Male flowers are collected in
pendulous catkins. The female flowers are bundled in small
groups concealed in the buds. The fruit is peculiar – a nut,
surrounded by husks.

Nuts of Coryllus avellana

photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 20
 Leaves of Coryllus avellana
photo B. Assyov

Nuts of Coryllus colurna

photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 21
Fagus Beech
Fagaceae

Trees of exceptional magnitude. Few species are known in

the Northern Hemisphere, only two are found in Europe – F.
sylvatica which is widespread and F. orientalis, confined to
the south easternmost part of the continent. Beech is
recognized by its sparsely toothed leaves with fine silky hairs
on the edge and the veins. The fruit is peculiar – a nut,
called acorn, embraced in a structure termed cupule.

An old beech forest. Note the bark

photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 22
Fagus sylvatica. Note the fruit with tiny appendages
photo B. Assyov

Fagus orientalis. Note the fruit with long and wide

appendages
photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 23
Helianthemum Rock rose
Cistaceae

Small perennials widespread in Europe, though rare in north.

All of them have relatively small flowers with five petals,
coloured white or more often yellow.

Helianthemum nummularium
photo B. Assyov

Helianthemum alpestre
photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 24
Ostrya Hop-hornbeam
Betulaceae

Small genus of fine trees. Only one species is known in

Europe – O. carpinifolia, seen as native in the south of the
continent. Few other species are rarely met in parks and
gardens, introduced from Asia and America. As inferred from
the English name the Hop-hornbeam is similar and easy to
confuse with Hornbeam (Carpinus). Their leaves are both
very similar and difficult to tell apart even for specialists. The
fruits are however different. In Ostrya they resemble very
much the fruits of Hop (Humulus lupulus) and that is why
the tree is called Hop-hornbeam. In hornbeams the fruits are
also pendulous but composed of many finely toothed scales.

Ostrya carpinifolia
photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 25
Populus Aspen, Poplar
Salicaceae

Medium sized or robust trees. Few species are known in

Europe, and many sorts and hybrids are extensively planted.
The leaves are of very different shape (see the
photographs), but are always toothed or more or less
divided. The flowers are inconspicuous and collected in male
and female catkins.

White poplar (Populus alba) with white hairy leaves

photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 26
Black poplar (Populus nigra) with almost triangular leaves
photo B. Assyov

Aspen (Populus tremula) with peculiar and easily

remembered shape of the leaves
photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 27
Quercus Oak
Fagaceae

Large genus of handsome trees. A number of species is

known in Europe, many others are introduced from Asia and
America and some of them are extensively planted (e. g.
Quercus borealis). The leaves are of very different shape,
but are nearly always toothed or more or less deeply divided
(rarely entire). Most widespread in Europe are the deciduous
members of the genus, but in the Mediterranean area there
are also evergreen species (e. g. the well known cork oak
Quercus suber). The fruit is peculiar – a nut, called acorn,
embraced in a structure termed cupule. The recognition of
the species relies on both characters of the leaves and the
fruits. Oaks are favored mycorrhizal hosts of many boletes

An oak woodland
photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 28
 Quercus coccifera – typical evergreean oak
photo B. Assyov

Quercus petraea – common in Europe deciduous oak

photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 29
Quercus cerris – species with hoary cupules
photo B. Assyov

Acorns with cupules of Quercus polycarpa

photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 30
 Salix Willow
Salicaceae

Large genus of small trees or shrubs. A number of species is

known in Europe. The leaves are of very different shape, but
are nearly always toothed. Most spread in Europe are the
trees and large sized shrubs of the genus, but in the
northern areas and in the high mountains there is a number
of dwarf willows. The flowers are inconspicuous and
collected in male and female catkins.

Salix caprea with female catkins

photo B. Assyov

Female (left) and male (right) catkins

photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 31
Salix lapponum – a dwarf willow reaching 1 m height
photo B. Assyov

Salix reticulata – a dwarf willow

barely reaching 20 cm height
photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 32
Tilia Lime
Tiliaceae

Impressive robust trees. The leaves are always somewhat

heart-shaped, densely toothed. The flowers are yellow and
strongly aromatic, bundled in group of few and connected to
a special leaf-like wing.

Tilia cordata
photo B. Assyov

Provided by http://boletales.com 33