CAP: (6-12 cm) wide, convex, becoming broadly convex; surface dry, with finely matted grayish hairs when young, finely cracked at the center in age, dark red to deep wine-red; margin projecting slightly beyond the pores; flesh yellow, quickly blueing when bruised or cut; odor and taste not distinctive.

PORE SURFACE: dark red when young, becoming dingier in age, blueing when bruised; pores small, circular, 1-2 per mm.

STALK: (6-8 cm) long, (1-3 cm) thick, equal or club-shaped, predominantly dark red like the cap, often yellow at the apex, quickly blueing when bruised, with dark red reticulation over at least the upper portion, solid; partial veil and ring absent.

SPORE PRINT: olive-brown.

MICROSCOPIC FEATURES: spores 10-14 x 4-5 μm, suboblong to nearly ventricose, smooth, pale brown.

FRUITING: gregarious to scattered on the ground under hardwoods; July-October; frequency uncertain due to confusion between it and Boletus flammans (see comments below).

EDIBILITY: unknown.

COMMENTS: Boletus flammans (edibility unknown) is nearly identical but has more variable cap color, ranging from dark red to brick-red or brownish red, a yellow stalk base, and grows under conifers.

From Mushrooms of Northeastern North America Alan E. Bessette, Arleen R. Bessette, & David W. Fischer  Copright © 1997 Syracuse University, ISBN 0-8156-0388-6