Suillus placidus or Suillus clintonianus

The cap of Suillus placidus is small, usually 3 to 10 centimeters across. When young it is convex and hemispherical, later opening out to cushion-shaped and almost flat. The cap surface is smooth and slimy, especially in wet weather, as if covered with a thin layer of glaze. The coloring is very pale and characteristic of the species: milky white, ivory or pale cream in young mushrooms, possibly taking on yellowish or ocher tones with age. The slimy skin peels easily off the cap.

The cap of Suillus clintonianus reaches 4 to 12 centimeters across. When young it is neatly hemispherical or cushion-shaped, opening out with maturity to convex and almost flat. The cap surface is smooth, noticeably slimy and glossy in wet weather, as if varnished, and turns sticky and shiny in dry weather. The color is rich and warm — from chestnut brown and reddish brown to a dark chocolate brown, often darker in the center. The skin peels easily off the cap, which is typical of all slippery jacks.

Under the cap is a layer of tubes with small pores. In young mushrooms they are whitish or pale yellow, turning yellowish and light ocher as they mature. A characteristic feature of the species is small reddish-brown glandular dots, often visible on the pore surface, and in wet weather droplets of liquid may appear on the young pore surface, leaving rusty spots as they dry. The tubes are short and attached to the stem.

Under the cap lies a tubular hymenophore with small, round pores. In young mushrooms they are pale yellow or golden yellow, turning a deeper yellow and olive-yellow as they mature. The tubes are attached to the stem or run slightly down it. When pressed or damaged, the pores may slowly turn brown, developing rusty brown spots. In young mushrooms the hymenophore is hidden by a whitish veil, whose remnants later form a ring on the stem.

The stem of Suillus placidus is cylindrical, 3 to 8 centimeters tall, relatively thin and solid. Unlike many other Suillus species, it has no ring. The stem is whitish or pale yellow, and its whole surface is covered with characteristic small glandular dots that darken with age to reddish brown or almost purple. These dots, together with the pale cap and growth under five-needle pines, are reliable features of the species. There is no volva.

The stem of Suillus clintonianus is cylindrical, 4 to 10 centimeters tall, fairly dense and springy. Its defining feature is a prominent ring in the upper part, left behind when the veil tears. Above the ring the stem is pale yellow and often finely netted; below it, brown to ochre-brown, with darker fibers. To the touch the stem is dry or slightly sticky. There is no volva. It's the combination of a slimy chestnut cap, a ring and the link to larch that reliably sets this species apart.

The flesh of Suillus placidus is tender and soft, white or slightly cream, sometimes with a pale pink tinge in the stem. In the air it barely changes, or very faintly turns pink or brownish when cut. The taste of the flesh is mild and pleasant, with no bitterness. As with all Suillus, it quickly soaks up moisture and softens, so for the table it's better to choose young, springy mushrooms.

The flesh of Suillus clintonianus is tender, firm when young and spongier with age. It is pale yellow or lemon yellow, barely changes on exposure to air or only browns slightly where cut. The flesh tastes pleasant and mild, with no bitterness, and soaks up flavors well during cooking. As with all slippery jacks, the flesh tends to soften quickly, so for the table choose young, firm mushrooms.

The smell of Suillus placidus is weak, mild and pleasantly mushroomy, with no sharp or unpleasant notes. The aroma carries no warning signs, so for identification go by the pale slimy cap, the glandular dots on the stem and the essential presence of five-needle pines nearby.

The smell of Suillus clintonianus is faint, pleasant and typically mushroomy, with no sharp or sour notes. The aroma is not a defining feature of the species, so when identifying it, rely first and foremost on the slimy chestnut cap, the ring on the stem and its growing next to larch.