The order Boletales is a diverse group of fungi within the class Agaricomycetes, primarily known for their fleshy, often stout fruiting bodies. Most Boletales produce pores instead of gills on the underside of their caps, though some have gill-like structures. They include familiar boletes, as well as earthballs, polypores, and some ectomycorrhizal species that form important symbiotic relationships with trees. Members of Boletales exhibit a wide range of ecological roles, including mycorrhizal partners, saprotrophs, and pathogens, and they are found in forests worldwide. While many are edible, some species are toxic, making proper identification essential. Morphologically and genetically diverse, Boletales are an important group for both forest ecology and culinary interest.