Hollow boleteSuillus cavipes

The cap of the hollow bolete reaches 3 to 10 centimeters in diameter. When young it is convex-hemispherical; with age it opens out to flat, sometimes with a small umbo. The surface is the main difference from other Suillus species: it is dry, felty-scaly-fibrous, not slimy, often with veil remnants along the margin. The color is yellowish brown, reddish brown or chestnut, with darker, flattened fibrous scales.

The hymenophore consists of tubes. The tubes run noticeably down the stem (decurrent), with wide, angular, radially arranged pores that resemble honeycomb. They are yellow or golden yellow, olive-yellow with age. The large, angular, decurrent pores set this species apart from the fine-pored Suillus species. The spore print is olive-brown.

The stem is cylindrical, 4 to 8 centimeters tall, and its defining feature is the cavity inside, especially noticeable in mature mushrooms, which gave the species its name. In the upper part of the stem there is a noticeable fibrous ring — a remnant of the veil; above the ring the stem is yellowish, below it brownish red, matching the cap. There is no volva. The combination of a dry scaly cap, a hollow ringed stem and the link with larch reliably identifies this species.

The flesh is whitish or pale yellow, fairly soft; when cut, it barely changes color or turns slightly yellow. The taste is mild and pleasant, without bitterness. Because it tends to go soft, choose young, firm specimens for the table. Unlike slimy Suillus species, the dry cap is not sticky and does not need peeling.

The smell is faint, pleasant, typically mushroomy, without sharp notes. The scent is not a defining feature, so for identification rely on the dry, scaly brown cap, the large decurrent yellow pores, the hollow ringed stem and the constant link with larch.