COMMON NAME: Lilac-brown Bolete.

CAP: (5-12 cm) wide, convex, becoming broadly convex to nearly flat; surface dry or slightly sticky, purple-brown to grayish brown, occasionally reddish brown, often with a fine whitish bloom when very young; flesh whitish, not staining blue when cut or bruised, slowly staining gray-brown, reddish, or purplish; odor not distinctive; taste mild to slightly bitter.

PORE SURFACE: dark chocolate-brown to purple-brown, occasionally dark gray to blackish, sometimes becoming yellow-brown in age but not pinkish, not staining blue when bruised; pores nearly circular, up to 3 per mm.

STALK: (4.5-9 cm) long, (1-4 cm) thick, equal or tapered at either end, solid, colored nearly like the cap, surface scurfy from a dense coating of purplish or purple-brown scabers, not reticulate; partial veil and ring absent.

SPORE PRINT: pinkish to reddish brown to amber-brown.

MICROSCOPIC FEATURES: spores 11-17 x 3.5-5 μm, narrowly subfusoid, smooth, hyaline to pale brown.

FRUITING: solitary to scattered on the ground near conifers, especially hemlock, and in mixed woods; July-October; occasional.

EDIBILITY: not recommended.

COMMENTS: although listed as edible in several field guides, this mushroom has caused severe gastric distress for some individuals.

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