COMMON NAME: Violet-gray Bolete.

CAP: (4-15 cm) wide, convex, becoming broadly convex to nearly flat; surface finely velvety when young, dry, smooth, violet or purple when young, fading to purple-brown, purple-gray, brown, dull cinnamon, or tan, occasionally overlaid with a whitish bloom; flesh white, not staining blue when cut or bruised; odor not distinctive; taste very bitter.

PORE SURFACE: white when young, becoming pinkish or dull pinkish-tan in age, not staining blue when bruised; pores nearly circular, 1-2 per mm.

STALK: (8-12 cm) long, (1-2 cm) thick, equal or enlarging slightly downward, solid, predominantly violet or purple, sometimes marbled with white, fading to dull purple, purple-gray, purple-brown, or brown, occasionally developing olive or olive-brown stains when bruised, sometimes slightly reticulate at the apex; partial veil and ring absent.

SPORE PRINT: pinkish brown.

MICROSCOPIC FEATURES: spores 10-13 x 3-4 μm, elliptic, smooth, pinkish brown.

FRUITING: scattered or in groups on the ground under hardwoods, especially oak; June-September; occasional to frequent.

EDIBILITY: inedible, bitter.

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