Leccinum melaneum

The cap of Leccinum melaneum reaches 5 to 12 centimeters across. When young it is hemispherical; with age it becomes convex and cushion-shaped. The surface is smooth, dry or slightly slimy in rain, and matte. The color is very dark — dark brown, gray-black or almost black, which gave the mushroom its name; the margin is sometimes paler. The dark, almost black cap reliably sets this species apart from the paler birch boletes.

The spore-bearing surface is made of tubes. The tubes are long, with small round pores; in young mushrooms they are dirty white or grayish, turning gray-brown with age. When pressed, the pores may slowly darken. The tube layer separates easily from the cap flesh, which is typical of boletes. The spore print is olive-brown.

The stem is tall and slender, 6 to 15 centimeters high, whitish or grayish white, covered along its whole length with dark — gray-brown to black — scales that form a granular, net-like pattern. When young the stem is firm; with age it becomes fibrous and tough. There is no volva and no ring. The combination of a dark cap, a scaly stem and birch neighbors is what sets this species apart.

The flesh is white and fairly firm in young mushrooms, softening and becoming watery with age. When cut it barely changes color or turns slightly gray. The taste is mild and pleasant, without bitterness. Because the flesh tends to go soft, young, firm specimens are the ones to pick for the table.

The smell is faint, pleasant and typically mushroomy, with no sharp or unpleasant notes. Aroma is not a defining feature, so for identification rely on the very dark cap, the scaly stem and the constant link with birch.