Red cracking bolete or Suede bolete

Cap 3-10 cm across, hemispherical in young mushrooms, later becoming convex to flat. Color chestnut-brown to olive-brown, darker when young. The surface is velvety; in old mushrooms it typically cracks into polygons with a distinct pinkish-red layer in the cracks — this is the most reliable diagnostic feature of the species. In damp weather it's slightly sticky.

Cap 4-12 cm across, hemispherical in young mushrooms, later becoming convex to flat. Color olive-green, yellow-green, ocher-green, brighter when young, paling with age. The surface is velvety and dryish, slightly sticky in damp weather; in old mushrooms it often cracks, with white cracks between the polygons of skin.

The hymenophore is made of tubes attached to the stem. Color yellow when young, turning yellow-olive with age. The pores are small and stain strongly blue when pressed. Spore print olive-brown.

The hymenophore is made of tubes attached to the stem. Color bright yellow when young, turning yellow-olive with age. The pores are small and angular, and turn blue when pressed — usually, though not always. Spore print olive-brown.

Stem 5-8 cm tall, 0.8-1.5 cm thick, cylindrical, often thickened toward the base. Color yellow at the top, with a characteristic lengthwise pinkish-red band or zone in the lower half. When cut, it turns blue.

Stem 5-10 cm tall, 1-2 cm thick, cylindrical, often slightly narrowing toward the base. Color yellow-ocher with fine lengthwise reddish-brown scales forming a net — a characteristic feature of the species among the boletes. No ring.

The flesh is yellow in the cap, soft and watery, and in the lower part of the stem has a pinkish-red zone. When cut, it turns blue (within 30-60 sec). The smell is faintly mushroomy.

The flesh is meaty, pale yellow, rusty in the lower part of the stem. When cut, it changes little: it may turn faintly blue or flush slightly reddish. The smell is faintly mushroomy, with a note of ripe apple. The taste is mild and pleasant.

Faint, pleasant and mushroomy, with no distinct notes.

Faint, pleasant and mushroomy, with a fruity (apple) note.