CAP: (6-15.5 cm) wide, convex, becoming broadly convex; surface dry, brownish lilac to purplish brown, or pale pinkish brown to dull pink, becoming brown to yellow-brown in age, staining green to blue-green in KOH; flesh white, not blueing when cut or bruised; odor and taste not distinctive.

PORE SURFACE: white when young, becoming yellowish or yellow-olive in age, not blueing when bruised; pores circular, 1-2 per mm.

STALK: (6-15.5 cm) long, (1-2.5 cm) thick, equal or enlarging slightly downward, solid, colored like the cap or paler when young, usually with a pinkish, lilac, or wine-colored tinge when fresh, becoming pale pinkish brown in age, reticulate, at least over the upper half, not blueing when cut or bruised, staining green to blue-green in KOH; partial veil and ring absent.

SPORE PRINT: brownish ochraceous.

MICROSCOPIC FEATURES: spores 12.5-16 x 3.5-4.5 μm, narrowly subfusiform, smooth, pale brown.

FRUITING: solitary, scattered, or in groups on the ground under hardwoods, especially oak, occasionally under pine or mixed conifers; June-October; occasional to frequent.

EDIBILITY: edible, choice.

COMMENTS: Boletus separans and Boletus pseudoseparans have great variation both in cap and stalk color and in the extent and color of their reticulation. They are also nearly identical in their response to various reagents as well as microscopic features. It is quite likely that they are variations of the same species.

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