Russet toughshank or Spindle toughshank

Cap 2-6 cm, hemispherical at first, then convex-spreading to flat. The color varies — from russet-yellow to yellow-brown, darker in the center and paler toward the edge. In dry weather the cap fades to cream. The surface is smooth and slightly shiny in wet weather.

Cap 3-10 cm, hemispherical at first, then convex-spreading; in old specimens with an upturned, wavy edge. Color reddish brown, russet-brown, darker in the center and paler toward the edge. The surface is dry and smooth, slightly shiny in wet weather.

Gilled hymenophore. Gills crowded, thin, attached or notched. Whitish to cream. Spore print white.

Gilled hymenophore. Gills fairly distant, attached or slightly decurrent. Pale cream to yellowish, developing rusty spots with age. Spore print white.

Stem 3-8 cm tall, 0.3-0.7 cm thick, thin, cylindrical, often curved; the lower part is darker, reddish brown, the upper part paler. The surface is smooth, the inside hollow. There is no ring.

Stem 6-15 cm tall, 1.5-3 cm thick in the middle, characteristically spindle-shaped — swollen in the middle, narrowing downward (to 0.5-1 cm), and at the base it turns into a long pointed "root" that goes deep into the ground to the oak root. Deep lengthwise furrows and red-brown spots are diagnostic features. There is no ring.

The flesh of the cap is thin, whitish, with no particular aroma. In the stem it is stringy and springy. It doesn't change color when cut.

The flesh is whitish to yellowish in the cap; in the stem it is dense, woody, with reddish spots. It barely changes color when cut. Tough — especially in the stem. It has a faint bitter aftertaste.

Faint, pleasant mushroomy smell. Mild taste, nothing special.

Faint mushroomy or slightly sourish smell. The taste is slightly bitter — it needs boiling.