Boletus edulis is a basidiomycete fungus, widely distributed in the
Northern Hemisphere across Europe, Asia, and North America, and has
been introduced to southern Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The
fungus grows in deciduous and coniferous forests and tree plantations,
forming symbiotic ectomycorrhizal associations with living trees by
enveloping sheaths of fungal tissue around their underground roots. The
fungus produces spore-bearing fruit bodies above ground in summer and
autumn. The fruit body has a large brown cap which on occasion can
reach 35 cm (14 in) in diameter and 3 kg (6.6 lb) in weight. It has
tubes extending downward from the underside of the cap, rather than
gills. Prized as an ingredient in various foods, B. edulis is an edible
mushroom held in high regard in many cuisines, and is commonly prepared
and eaten in soups, pasta, or risotto. The mushroom is low in fat and
digestible carbohydrates, and high in protein, vitamins, minerals and
dietary fibre. Although it is sold commercially, it has not been
successfully grown in cultivation. Available fresh in autumn in
Central, Southern and Northern Europe, it is most often dried, packaged
and distributed worldwide.
Read the rest of this article:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boletus_edulis>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1498:
Girolamo Savonarola of Florence was executed for heresy, uttering
prophecies, sedition, and other crimes.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girolamo_Savonarola>
1533:
The marriage of Henry VIII of England and his first wife Catherine of
Aragon was annulled.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_of_Aragon>
1568:
The Dutch Revolt broke out when rebels led by Louis of Nassau invaded
Friesland at the Battle of Heiligerlee.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Revolt>
1706:
War of the Spanish Succession: Led by the Duke of Marlborough, the
allied forces of England, the Dutch Republic, and Denmark defeated the
Franco-Bavarian army in Ramillies, present-day Belgium.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ramillies>
1934:
American criminals Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were ambushed and
killed by police on a desolate road near their hideout in Bienville
Parish, Louisiana.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonnie_and_Clyde>
1949:
The Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany came into effect as
the de facto constitution of West Germany.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_Law_for_the_Federal_Republic_of_Germany>
2008:
To resolve a 29-year-old territorial dispute, the International Court
of Justice awarded Middle Rocks to Malaysia and Pedra Branca to
Singapore.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedra_Branca_dispute>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
destitution (n):
The condition of being without the necessary resources for life;
extreme poverty
<http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/destitution>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
Might the simple maxim, that honesty is the best policy be laid to
heart! Might a sense of the true aims of life elevate the tone of
politics and trade, till public and private honor become identical!
--Margaret Fuller
<http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Margaret_Fuller>