Hollow bolete or Sticky bolete

The cap of the hollow bolete reaches 3 to 10 centimeters in diameter. When young it is convex-hemispherical; with age it opens out to flat, sometimes with a small umbo. The surface is the main difference from other Suillus species: it is dry, felty-scaly-fibrous, not slimy, often with veil remnants along the margin. The color is yellowish brown, reddish brown or chestnut, with darker, flattened fibrous scales.

The cap of the sticky bolete reaches 4 to 10 centimeters across. When young it is convex and hemispherical, and with age it opens out to cushion-shaped and flat. The cap surface is very slimy and sticky, especially in wet weather, which is how the mushroom got its name. The coloring is subdued and variable, from dirty gray and gray-brown to olive-gray and pale clay, often with darker streaks or spots. The slimy skin peels off easily, revealing a paler surface.

The hymenophore consists of tubes. The tubes run noticeably down the stem (decurrent), with wide, angular, radially arranged pores that resemble honeycomb. They are yellow or golden yellow, olive-yellow with age. The large, angular, decurrent pores set this species apart from the fine-pored Suillus species. The spore print is olive-brown.

Under the cap is a layer of tubes with relatively large, angular and irregular pores, larger than in other Suillus species. They are dirty gray, grayish white or olive-tinged, which again sets this species apart from its golden-pored relatives. When pressed or damaged, the pores slowly take on a blue-green or brownish tint. In young mushrooms the pore surface is covered by a veil, the remains of which form a ring on the stem.

The stem is cylindrical, 4 to 8 centimeters tall, and its defining feature is the cavity inside, especially noticeable in mature mushrooms, which gave the species its name. In the upper part of the stem there is a noticeable fibrous ring — a remnant of the veil; above the ring the stem is yellowish, below it brownish red, matching the cap. There is no volva. The combination of a dry scaly cap, a hollow ringed stem and the link with larch reliably identifies this species.

The stem of the sticky bolete is cylindrical, 4 to 8 centimeters tall, grayish white or pale gray. Near the top it has a noticeable slimy ring left by the veil; above it the surface is paler, and below it is covered with small grayish glandular dots. When touched, the stem may also slowly take on a bluish-green tint. There is no volva. The combination of gray tones, the ring and the link to larch reliably identifies this species.

The flesh is whitish or pale yellow, fairly soft; when cut, it barely changes color or turns slightly yellow. The taste is mild and pleasant, without bitterness. Because it tends to go soft, choose young, firm specimens for the table. Unlike slimy Suillus species, the dry cap is not sticky and does not need peeling.

The flesh of the sticky bolete is whitish or grayish, fairly soft and watery, especially in mature mushrooms. Its characteristic trait, reflected in its folk name, is a slow color change in the air: when cut, the flesh gradually takes on a blue-green and sometimes pinkish-brown tint. The taste is mild, with no noticeable bitterness, but overall rather bland. Because of the watery texture and mediocre flavor, mostly young, firm specimens are chosen for the table.

The smell is faint, pleasant, typically mushroomy, without sharp notes. The scent is not a defining feature, so for identification rely on the dry, scaly brown cap, the large decurrent yellow pores, the hollow ringed stem and the constant link with larch.

The smell of the sticky bolete is weak and nondescript, typically mushroomy, with no sharp or unpleasant notes. Aroma is not a defining feature, so for identification rely on the gray slimy cap, the large grayish pores, the ring on the stem and growth next to larch.