Xerocomus ferrugineus or Red cracking bolete

Cap 4–10 cm, hemispherical in young mushrooms, then cushion-shaped. Color rusty brown, chestnut, dark ochre — richer and darker than the suede bolete. The surface is matte, felty-velvety, slightly sticky in wet weather. In dry conditions it can crack into small squares.

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.

Hymenophore tubular, at first attached to the stem, then notched. Color yellow, olive-yellow in mature ones. Pores angular, small to medium. They turn faintly blue when pressed — less actively than in many other Xerocomus boletes.

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.

Stem 4–10 cm tall, 1–2 cm thick, cylindrical, sometimes slightly narrowing upward. Color yellowish to brown, with barely visible lengthwise fibers. Sometimes reddish at the base.

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.

Flesh pale yellow to yellowish, watery in mature mushrooms, springy in young ones. When cut it does not turn blue, though the cap flesh may flush slightly pinkish. Sometimes pinkish in the stem.

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.

Smell faint, pleasantly mushroomy with a hint of fresh forest litter. Taste mild, neutral.

Faint, pleasant and mushroomy, with no distinct notes.