Suillus spectabilis or Larch bolete

Cap 5–12 cm, hemispherical in young mushrooms, then cushion-shaped. Color reddish brown, dark raspberry, with a characteristic "fibrous" surface pattern — as if made of fine fabric. The surface is sticky in wet weather, matte in dry. Mature ones often have a thicker, darker center.

Cap 4–10 cm (sometimes up to 15), hemispherical in young mushrooms, then cushion-shaped, almost flat in old ones. Color bright yellow, lemon-yellow, golden-orange, less often rusty brown. The surface is very sticky and shiny — in wet weather it looks literally lacquered. The skin peels off easily and often stretches into strips.

Hymenophore tubular, running down the stem (a characteristic feature of the genus Boletinus). Color yellowish, olive-brown in mature ones. Pores large, angular, sometimes arranged radially.

Tubes adnate to the stem at first, then notched. Yellowish when young, later grayish- or olive-yellow. Pores small and angular. When pressed they turn pinkish, then brown — a characteristic reaction. In young mushrooms they are covered by a yellowish membranous veil.

Stem 4–10 cm tall, 1–2.5 cm thick, cylindrical. Color reddish brown to dark brown, darker than the cap. In the upper part, a characteristic coarse net of thick veins. Ring membranous, white with pinkish tones, quickly disappearing.

Stem 4–12 cm tall, 1–3 cm thick, cylindrical or slightly widening toward the base. Yellow above, brownish below the ring, with small rusty dots. The ring is white or yellowish, membranous, and breaks down quickly — in mature mushrooms it’s often gone or only a narrow band remains.

Flesh yellowish, soft, watery. When cut it slowly turns red, then darkens to brown. Firmer and fibrous in the stem.

Flesh yellow, soft, watery in mature mushrooms. When cut it turns slightly pinkish in the cap, and sometimes a bit greenish in the stem. The texture is slimy-fibrous.

Smell faint, pleasantly mushroomy with a slightly resinous note (from the larch). Taste mild, not bitter.

Smell faint, mushroomy, with a barely noticeable resinous note. Taste mild, not bitter.