Imperator is a genus of fungi in the family Boletaceae. It was circumscribed in 2015 by Boris Assyov and colleagues. The erection of Imperator follows recent molecular phylogenetic studies that outlined a new taxonomic framework for the Boletaceae.
The type species is Imperator torosus, an "impressive and prestigious" species to which the generic name Imperator refers.
All members of this genus are either toxic if consumed (causing gastroenteritis) or are of unknown edibility.
See table below:
| Image | Scientific Name | Taxon author | Year | Habitat | Distribution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperator luteocupreus | (Bertéa & Estadès) Assyov, Bellanger, Bertéa, Courtec., Koller, Loizides, G.Marques, J.A.Muñoz, N.Oppicelli, D.Puddu, F.Rich. & P.-A.Moreau | 2015(1990) | chestnut (Castanea) and oak (Quercus) | southern Europe | ||
| Imperator rhodopurpureus | (Smotl.) Assyov, Bellanger, Bertéa, Courtec., Koller, Loizides, G.Marques, J.A.Muñoz, N.Oppicelli, D.Puddu, F. Rich. & P.-A. Moreau | 2015(1952) | Deciduous trees including oak and beech in neutral soils. | Europe | ||
| Imperator torosus | (Fr.) Assyov, Bellanger, Bertéa, Courtec., Koller, Loizides, G.Marques, J.A.Muñoz, N.Oppicelli, D.Puddu, F.Rich. & P.-A.Moreau | 2015(1835) | Deciduous trees such as hornbeam (Carpinus), oak (Quercus) and beech (Fagus) | Europe | ||
| Imperator xanthocyaneus | (Ramain) Klofac | 2018(1948) | Western Europe |